Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Paducah, KY: $31.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Paducah, KY runs $31.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,597 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Paducah's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,363 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Paducah, Kentucky, is projected to be $31.54, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This rate offers significant financial opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers within various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and home health visits. For part-time LPNs, typically working three days a week, the pay can provide decent supplemental income, especially when factoring in the flexibility of their schedules. The hourly range for licensed practical nurses in Paducah extends from $25.79 at the entry-level to $33.17 for the most experienced workers, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This variation allows for both new graduates and seasoned professionals to find positions that align with their qualifications and financial needs.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.79 | $206.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.59 | $220.70 |
| Median (P50) | $31.54 | $252.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.91 | $255.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.17 | $265.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paducah
Based on $31.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.54/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paducah, KY can expect to earn approximately $65,605 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,849. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paducah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paducah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,261.64 | $5,467 | $65,605 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.98 | $3,280 | $39,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.65 | $2,187 | $26,242 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Paducah) | $31.54 |
| 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 Paducah, KY earn a median of $65,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.63% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% above the Kentucky state average of $65,271.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.54/hr = $39,363/year (purchasing power: $45,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,605/year (purchasing power: $76,210).
CoL index: 86.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Paducah grew 35.6% from $22.00/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.34/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 Paducah 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 Paducah
In Paducah, LPNs working part-time, averaging around 24 hours per week, can expect to bring home approximately $39,304 annually, which showcases the viability of this role for those not seeking full-time commitments. On the other hand, per diem licensed practical nurses often find themselves in a more dynamic pricing scenario, billing anywhere from $28 to $42 per hour depending on the facility's staffing needs. With agency LPNs frequently achieving pay rates between $45 and $60 per hour, opportunities do exist for those willing to work in more demanding or understaffed environments. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer; for instance, skilled nursing homes, home health agencies, and correctional facilities may offer different compensation levels. Those who prioritize benefits such as health insurance might accept lower hourly rates, while others might prefer higher wages with the trade-off of forgoing benefits. Effective negotiation strategies for Paducah’s licensed practical nurses include emphasizing certifications and specialized training to secure better pay rates.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Paducah in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Paducah. 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, 2-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