Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Louisville, KY: $71,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Louisville, KY earns a median $71,183/year (≈ $34.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $79,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Louisville, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $71,183, which is slightly above the national median of $68,071. The salary for LPNs in Louisville spans from $50,855 at the lower 10th percentile to $95,315 at the top 90th percentile, with the 25th percentile earning around $62,018 and the 75th percentile approximately $85,710. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, reflect the impactful role that local scope-of-practice regulations, including IV therapy and assessment capabilities, have on compensation. With a growing demand for healthcare workers, the job market in Louisville supports increased earnings potential for LPNs, especially in settings that offer specialized care.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($51,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,855 | $24.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,018 | $29.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,183 | $34.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,710 | $41.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,315 | $45.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,460 (2026 est.). At $71,183, the local median is 4.57% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Louisville median: $71,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,305 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +4.57% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville, KY earn a median of $71,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $65,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $71,183 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,712 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% 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
$49,651
2025 BLS Actual
$67,344
2026 Current Est.
$71,183
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,651 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,267 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,240 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $49,651 (2019) to $67,344 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,589 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $50,855 – $62,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,018 – $71,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,183 – $85,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,710 – $95,315 |
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 Louisville
The local job landscape features around 132 licensed practical nurses employed in Louisville, contributing to a stable work environment. The city’s cost-of-living index of 89.3 presents a more favorable purchasing power compared to the national average, meaning salaries go further here than in many other areas. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings tend to pay the most, reflecting the heightened responsibilities and qualifications in those environments. Variability in pay often arises from factors such as shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts. For LPNs aspiring to maximize their income in Louisville's market, pursuing roles in high-paying settings and obtaining relevant certifications can greatly enhance earning potential. Additionally, considering LPN-to-RN bridge programs could open doors to higher-paying opportunities in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Louisville, KY in 2026?
Is Louisville, KY a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Louisville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Louisville?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Louisville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kentucky
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 $67,344 for licensed practical nursesin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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