Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $30.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $30.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,123 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $30.55 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This means LPNs working part-time, for instance, three days a week, can expect a take-home pay that provides a firm footing in their financial planning, especially in settings like skilled nursing facilities and home health organizations. The hourly range for licensed practical nurses in this area stretches from $23.22 for entry-level positions to as much as $37.73 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting the various environments where they are employed, including physician offices, hospice care, and correctional facilities. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projecting employment trends for the upcoming year.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.22 | $185.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.11 | $200.91 |
| Median (P50) | $30.55 | $244.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.74 | $261.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.73 | $301.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $30.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.55/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $63,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,657. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,221.89 | $5,295 | $63,538 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.14 | $3,177 | $38,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.76 | $2,118 | $25,415 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Cape Girardeau) | $30.55 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $63,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $64,493.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.55/hr = $38,123/year (purchasing power: $44,289).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,538/year (purchasing power: $73,815).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Cape Girardeau grew 44.4% from $20.02/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.29/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
The potential earnings for part-time LPNs can be substantial, given that working just 24 hours a week translates to an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Many per diem licensed practical nurses can expect to bill between $28-$42 per hour; however, those connected to agencies at short-staffed facilities might even see rates ramp up to $45-$60 per hour. In Cape Girardeau, pay varies widely depending on the employer type; long-term care facilities might offer lower rates, while hospitals and private practices could provide better compensation but different job challenges. Those in pursuit of higher hourly wages often need to consider the trade-offs, such as unscheduled hours without benefits versus more stable, lower-paying jobs with health coverage. To negotiate effectively, potential candidates should emphasize their unique skills and consider various employer benefits to find a balance between hourly rate and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Cape Girardeau in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Cape Girardeau?
Are licensed practical nurses in Cape Girardeau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Cape Girardeau?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Cape Girardeau?
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 Cape Girardeau. 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