Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $32.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Rochester, MN runs $32.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,384 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,432 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $32.40 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This hourly rate can provide part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses with a sustainable income, especially when working in environments such as skilled nursing facilities, home health scenarios, and hospital settings. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, the potential to earn between $27.02 and $37.77 per hour offers a considerable advantage based on the position and facility's needs. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data outlines that entering the field as a new practical nurse could lead to hourly wages at the lower end of the scale, while seasoned professionals may earn rates closer to the upper limit, reflecting a pay spectrum that accommodates a variety of experiences and settings.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.02 | $216.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.76 | $254.10 |
| Median (P50) | $32.40 | $259.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.04 | $288.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.77 | $302.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $32.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.40/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $67,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,876. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,295.88 | $5,615 | $67,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.53 | $3,369 | $40,432 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.35 | $2,246 | $26,954 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Rochester) | $32.40 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $67,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $68,071.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.40/hr = $40,432/year (purchasing power: $44,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,386/year (purchasing power: $74,196).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Rochester grew 29.5% from $23.67/hr (2019) to $30.65/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.24/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Looking deeper into the earning landscape for licensed practical nurses in Rochester, those working part-time may find their annual income significantly impacted based on hours worked compared to full-time counterparts. For example, a part-time LPN working 24 hours a week could expect to take home considerably less annually than a full-time employee, but it also allows for flexible scheduling that many value. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Rochester can range from $28 to $42 an hour, with agency LPNs sometimes earning between $45 and $60 per hour due to staffing shortages. This variation in hourly rates across different types of employers—from skilled nursing facilities to home health agencies—illustrates the trade-offs LPNs face when choosing between higher pay without benefits or slightly lower rates supplemented with health insurance. For those ready to negotiate, it's prudent to research local benchmarks and understand the specific expectations of potential employers to secure the most favorable hourly rate reflective of their skills and needs within the evolving healthcare sector.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Rochester in 2026?
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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 Rochester. 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