Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $31.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Scranton, PA runs $31.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,259 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,152 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Scranton, Pennsylvania, licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to sit at $31.37 in 2026, which is just below the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This competitive hourly wage supports various work arrangements, especially for part-time LPNs who may work three days a week. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities in settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician offices, or hospice care, it allows for flexibility while earning a decent income. With an hourly range spanning from $27.36 for entry-level positions to $37.78 for seasoned professionals, there are opportunities for LPNs at all career stages to find employment that fits their financial and personal needs. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the earning potential in this critical healthcare role.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.36 | $218.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.39 | $243.11 |
| Median (P50) | $31.37 | $250.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.05 | $280.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.78 | $302.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $31.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.37/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,253 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,646. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.87 | $5,438 | $65,253 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.92 | $3,263 | $39,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.95 | $2,175 | $26,101 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Scranton) | $31.37 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $65,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.13% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,795.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.37/hr = $39,152/year (purchasing power: $41,849).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,253/year (purchasing power: $69,748).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Scranton grew 35.6% from $21.89/hr (2019) to $29.68/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.16/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
In terms of financial prospects, an LPN working part-time three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, could expect to earn approximately $48,662 annually, though this figure may vary based on hours worked and location. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Scranton generally falls within a range of $28 to $42 per hour, while agency assignments at understaffed facilities can command even higher rates, reaching up to $60 per hour in some cases. The variety of hourly rates across employer types—ranging from skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies to hospitals and correctional facilities—reflects the diverse opportunities available. Some LPNs may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits; conversely, many choose positions offering health insurance despite lower pay. Negotiation strategies can significantly impact earnings, so LPNs are encouraged to articulate their value and consider all aspects of compensation when entering discussions in the Scranton market.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Scranton in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Scranton?
Are licensed practical nurses in Scranton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Scranton?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Scranton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Scranton. 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