Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pueblo, CO: $74,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Pueblo, CO earns a median $74,075/year (≈ $35.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Pueblo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $80,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, Colorado, licensed practical nurses enter a job market offering a median annual salary of $74,075, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,071. This salary reflects the state's comprehensive LPN scope of practice, which includes advanced responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessment, contributing to enhanced earning potential. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $56,539 and the highest 90% earning $89,982. These statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate a robust job market for licensed practical nurses, particularly in a region where quality healthcare services are a necessity.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,539 | $27.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,405 | $32.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,075 | $35.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,655 | $40.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,982 | $43.26 |
Median Salary Position
8.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pueblo
In Pueblo, CO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,443 (2026 est.). At $74,075, the local median is 8.82% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pueblo: You'd be above the median
How Pueblo Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Pueblo median: $74,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pueblo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | +8.82% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Pueblo, CO earn a median of $74,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.82% higher than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pueblo has a cost of living 8.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pueblo, CO has a cost-of-living index of 91.762 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $74,075 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.98% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$47,170
2025 BLS Actual
$70,080
2026 Current Est.
$74,075
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pueblo metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 48.6% from $47,170 (2019) to $70,080 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,127 (65.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,539 – $67,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,405 – $74,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,075 – $84,655 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,655 – $89,982 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Pueblo
Pueblo’s job market for licensed practical nurses employs around 200 professionals, translating into decent opportunities for job seekers in this field. The local cost-of-living index stands at 91.762, suggesting that while incomes are competitive, purchasing power remains a significant consideration. Employers that typically offer the highest wages include skilled nursing facilities and some hospice care organizations. The variance in salaries is often driven by different settings, with skilled nursing facilities generally paying more than home health agencies or physician offices. Additionally, considerations such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and holiday pay contribute to the salary spectrum. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Pueblo, pursuing positions in long-term care settings and seeking advanced certifications could be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Pueblo, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Pueblo, CO in 2026?
Is Pueblo, CO a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Pueblo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Pueblo?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Pueblo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $70,080 for licensed practical nursesin the Pueblo metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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