Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Eau Claire, WI: $30.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Eau Claire, WI runs $30.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,424 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Eau Claire's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,651 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, WI, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at $30.97, which falls below the national hourly median of $32.73. This median hourly rate offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses, allowing them to work in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospice care, and correctional facility infirmaries. Entry-level LPNs may start at around $25.94 per hour, while more experienced nurses can earn up to $37.93 per hour in Eau Claire. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the potential earnings for licensed practical nurses in different stages of their careers, showcasing the financial landscape of this rewarding profession.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.94 | $207.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.59 | $236.68 |
| Median (P50) | $30.97 | $247.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.93 | $287.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.93 | $303.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eau Claire
Based on $30.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.97/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eau Claire, WI can expect to earn approximately $64,418 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,164. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eau Claire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eau Claire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,238.80 | $5,368 | $64,418 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $743.28 | $3,221 | $38,651 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.52 | $2,147 | $25,767 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Eau Claire) | $30.97 |
| 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 Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $64,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,672.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.97/hr = $38,651/year (purchasing power: $41,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,418/year (purchasing power: $69,419).
CoL index: 92.796 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Eau Claire grew 36.9% from $21.41/hr (2019) to $29.30/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.74/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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
For those considering a part-time role, working as a licensed practical nurse three days a week can yield significant earnings, resulting in a stable income of approximately $45,500 annually, compared to those who work full-time. Per diem arrangements offer flexibility, with many licensed practical nurses billing between $28 to $42 hourly, while those working in agency settings for understaffed facilities may earn as much as $45 to $60 per hour. However, the type of employer can impact pay scales; for instance, LPNs in hospitals generally earn less than those in long-term care or assisted living settings. Nurses must weigh the trade-offs between higher per-hour wages and the benefits of full-time employment, such as health insurance. When negotiating their hourly rate, LPNs in Eau Claire should emphasize their specific skills and experience, particularly if pursuing roles in specialized environments or facilities facing staffing shortages, to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire. 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