Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $31.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Chester, PA runs $31.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,527 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,717 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $31.02 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly wage can be particularly advantageous for part-time practitioners working three days a week, allowing them to maintain a flexible schedule while earning a competitive rate in a variety of healthcare settings. The hourly earnings can range from $25.91 for entry-level positions to up to $37.65 for the most experienced LPNs in the area. Such variations in pay are influenced by the nursing environment, as LPNs find employment in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, physician offices, and even correctional facilities. These estimates are derived from annual salary data but reveal a snapshot of the potential earnings available on an hourly basis for licensed practical nurses in Chester.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.91 | $207.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.51 | $236.09 |
| Median (P50) | $31.02 | $248.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.39 | $283.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.65 | $301.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $31.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.02/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $64,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,228. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.92 | $5,377 | $64,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.55 | $3,226 | $38,717 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.37 | $2,151 | $25,811 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Chester) | $31.02 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $64,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,798.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.02/hr = $38,717/year (purchasing power: $39,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,528/year (purchasing power: $66,250).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Chester grew 35.6% from $21.64/hr (2019) to $29.35/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.79/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 Chester 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 Chester
For licensed practical nurses in Chester considering part-time work, the financial impact can be significant. An LPN working three days a week for 24 hours would typically generate an annual income that reflects only part of what full-time colleagues earn. Meanwhile, per diem licensed practical nurses can expect to receive varying compensation rates, generally billing between $28 and $42 per hour, and agency LPNs filling gaps at understaffed facilities may earn as much as $45 to $60 per hour. Factors such as employer types directly influence these variations; those in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities might find themselves at different pay scales compared to LPNs in outpatient settings. While some nurses may opt for lower hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance and consistent hours, others leverage their skills to negotiate higher pay rates. Understanding the nuances of licensed practical nurse hourly rate standards in PA allows professionals to make informed decisions about their employment opportunities in Chester.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Chester in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Chester?
Are licensed practical nurses in Chester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Chester?
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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 Chester. 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 Chester 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