Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $32.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in West Lafayette, IN runs $32.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,682 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurse hourly pay in West Lafayette, Indiana, for 2026 is projected to be $32.60, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This pay scale provides ample opportunities for part-time and per-diem professionals in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. With an hourly range from $26.58 for entry-level positions to $41.97 for the highest earners, there is potential for LPNs to enhance their financial well-being based on experience and skill set. These numbers are derived from projected annual salaries and reflect the diverse nature of practical nursing jobs available in the area.
About the West Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.58 | $212.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.54 | $244.29 |
| Median (P50) | $32.60 | $260.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.65 | $309.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.97 | $335.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $32.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.60/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $67,804 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,117. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,303.92 | $5,650 | $67,804 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $782.35 | $3,390 | $40,682 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.57 | $2,260 | $27,121 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (West Lafayette) | $32.60 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $67,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% below the Indiana state average of $68,620.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.60/hr = $40,682/year (purchasing power: $44,559).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,804/year (purchasing power: $74,265).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in West Lafayette grew 35.6% from $22.74/hr (2019) to $30.84/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.46/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 West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette
Looking at the financial landscape for part-time licensed practical nurses in West Lafayette, an LPN working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, might expect to earn approximately $40,627 annually if working at the median hourly rate. Conversely, per-diem licensed practical nurses typically earn between $28 and $42 per hour, with agency positions in understaffed facilities sometimes reaching $45 to $60 per hour. The variety in hourly wages across different employer types highlights a trade-off between pay and benefits; many LPNs prefer positions with reliable health insurance over higher hourly rates that lack those benefits. Negotiation plays a vital role as well, since local employers may differ in pay structures, allowing savvy LPNs to advocate for compensation reflective of their skill levels and the demands of their workplace.
More salary data for West Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in West Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in West Lafayette?
Are licensed practical nurses in West Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
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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 West Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Lafayette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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