Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bowling Green, KY: $64,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bowling Green, KY earns a median $64,297/year (≈ $30.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $71,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Bowling Green, Kentucky, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,297, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national average of $68,071. The licensed practical nurse pay in Bowling Green KY can vary significantly, with the salary range spanning from $53,231 at the tenth percentile to $70,100 at the ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the influence of the diverse employment settings available for LPNs in the area, including skilled nursing facilities, home health organizations, and clinics. Each environment offers different compensation levels, often tied to the complexity of care provided and the associated responsibilities of the role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,231 | $25.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,249 | $26.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,297 | $30.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,100 | $33.70 |
Median Salary Position
5.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,869 (2026 est.). At $64,297, the local median is 5.54% below the national median of $68,071.
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How Bowling Green Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $64,297/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,276 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.54% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $64,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $65,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.179 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,297 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,370
2025 BLS Actual
$60,830
2026 Current Est.
$64,297
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.3% from $43,370 (2019) to $60,830 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,592 (56.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $53,231 – $55,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,249 – $64,297 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,297 – $68,420 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,420 – $70,100 |
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 Bowling Green
At present, there are about 250 licensed practical nurses employed in Bowling Green, indicating a stable local job market for this profession. The cost of living index for the area stands at 90.179, which suggests better purchasing power compared to many parts of the nation. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher wages, often supplemented by shift differentials and bonuses for specialized skills like IV therapy, making such employers more attractive for LPNs looking to maximize their income. In contrast, home health agencies and physician offices typically pay less due to the nature of the work and the associated lower overhead costs. For those aiming to increase their licensed practical nurse salary in Bowling Green, pursuing additional certifications or seeking shifts in high-demand settings—particularly in long-term care—can significantly enhance take-home compensation, especially during weekends and holidays when premiums may apply.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
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 $60,830 for licensed practical nursesin the Bowling Green 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