Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Jonesboro, AR: $25.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Jonesboro, AR runs $25.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Jonesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,332 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $25.91, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This distinction places Jonesboro's LPNs in a position where part-time and per-diem roles might yield different financial realities. A typical part-time licensed practical nurse working three days per week might find themselves earning a reasonable income while accommodating their schedule, especially in environments like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living communities. The hourly range for LPNs in this area spans from $20.53 at the entry-level to around $31.46 for experienced professionals, highlighting the potential for career advancement within the field while still being rooted in local economic conditions, all based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.53 | $164.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.03 | $200.24 |
| Median (P50) | $25.91 | $207.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.07 | $240.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.46 | $251.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jonesboro
Based on $25.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.91/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jonesboro, AR can expect to earn approximately $53,887 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,088. With a cost-of-living index of 85.88 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jonesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jonesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,036.28 | $4,491 | $53,887 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $621.77 | $2,694 | $32,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.51 | $1,796 | $21,555 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Jonesboro) | $25.91 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $53,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.84% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.20% below the Arkansas state average of $59,346.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.91/hr = $32,332/year (purchasing power: $37,650).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,887/year (purchasing power: $62,749).
CoL index: 85.876 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Jonesboro grew 39.5% from $17.57/hr (2019) to $24.51/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Jonesboro
Looking at the part-time earning potential, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week can anticipate earnings that can still be substantial if managed well; this may offer a different incentive compared to full-time positions. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Jonesboro can range from $28-$42 per hour, with agency positions sometimes reaching rates between $45 and $60 per hour, depending on demand and facility staffing needs. Depending on the work setting, hourly rates are influenced by various factors; for instance, hospitals, which often prefer RNs, may offer lower rates compared to long-term care or home health facilitation environments. Many nurses find themselves weighing the benefits of lower pay against the security of health insurance options, leading to varied choices in their employment scenarios. Negotiation is key in this landscape; LPNs should approach discussions with clear knowledge of their value in areas like long-term care and community health outreach, thus empowering themselves in the decision-making process regarding their hourly rates in Jonesboro.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Jonesboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov