Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $28.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Panama City, FL runs $28.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,319 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,590 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, Florida, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $28.52, which is notably lower than the national median of $32.73. This difference reflects various factors, including local cost of living considerations and the competitive landscape for nursing positions. For part-time nurses working three days a week, this hourly pay translates into manageable earnings across various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician office exam rooms. Entry-level LPNs may start at around $24.62 per hour, while the top earners in the field can command salaries as high as $34.06 per hour. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that there is a significant demand for LPNs in the region, with approximately 400 positions reported, which remains a critical component of local healthcare services.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.62 | $196.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.99 | $207.93 |
| Median (P50) | $28.52 | $228.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.75 | $245.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.06 | $272.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $28.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.52/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $59,317 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,221. With a cost-of-living index of 97.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.71 | $4,943 | $59,317 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.43 | $2,966 | $35,590 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.29 | $1,977 | $23,727 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Panama City) | $28.52 |
| 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 Panama City, FL earn a median of $59,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.60% below the Florida state average of $64,198.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.52/hr = $35,590/year (purchasing power: $36,579).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,317/year (purchasing power: $60,966).
CoL index: 97.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Panama City grew 48.2% from $18.20/hr (2019) to $26.98/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.14/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 Panama City 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 Panama City
Assessing the earning potential for a part-time licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home would be significantly lower compared to a full-time salary, emphasizing the financial decision-making many face in the profession. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Panama City can vary from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency placements at understaffed facilities can escalate premiums to $45-$60 per hour, although these roles might lack benefits. Hourly rates also fluctuate depending on the type of employer; for instance, skilled nursing facilities generally offer different compensation compared to hospitals or home health agencies. When negotiating, LPNs might consider trade-offs like lower pay versus benefits, which could impact long-term financial security. Ultimately, professional development, including LPN-to-RN pathways, could provide future opportunities to enhance both role scope and earning potential in the healthcare workforce of Florida.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Panama City in 2026?
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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 Panama City. 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