Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Portage, IN: $66,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Portage, IN earns a median $66,293/year (≈ $31.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $72,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, Indiana, the projected 2026 licensed practical nurse salary reflects the city's employment landscape that leans toward skilled nursing facilities, which typically offer the highest compensation among health care settings. The median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Portage is anticipated to be $66,293, slightly below the national average of $68,071. This local figure comes with a salary range that spans from $53,315 at the 10th percentile to $84,330 at the 90th. Such estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. Understanding these numbers is crucial for those assessing career prospects in Portage’s health care sector.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,315 | $25.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,553 | $29.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,293 | $31.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,188 | $37.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,330 | $40.55 |
Median Salary Position
2.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,015 (2026 est.). At $66,293, the local median is 2.61% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Portage median: $66,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $68,626 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.61% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Portage, IN earn a median of $66,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $68,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,293 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,610 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,240
2025 BLS Actual
$62,718
2026 Current Est.
$66,293
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,815 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,240 (2019) to $62,718 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,832 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $53,315 – $61,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,553 – $66,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,293 – $78,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,188 – $84,330 |
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 Portage
Within Portage, only 10 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, indicating a tight market that may impact job availability and competition. The local cost of living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that take-home pay holds slightly more purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally provide the most substantial compensation for LPNs, while home health agencies and physician offices typically fall below this benchmark. The disparity in salaries is often influenced by specific job settings, with factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and weekend or holiday premiums in long-term care playing significant roles. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential in this dynamic market, looking for opportunities in high-demand settings and obtaining specialized training can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $62,718 for licensed practical nursesin the Portage 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
Salary data for Portage 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