Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Bedford, MA: $83,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in New Bedford, MA earns a median $83,880/year (≈ $40.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $77,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurse salaries in New Bedford, Massachusetts, reflect a dynamic job market shaped by the state's specific LPN scope-of-practice rules, including IV therapy and patient assessment. In 2026, the projected median annual salary is set at $83,880, which shows a noteworthy increase compared to the national median of $68,071, marking a 23.22% advantage for local practitioners. Salary ranges for licensed practical nurses in 2026 are projected to be between $66,774 at the 10th percentile and $107,274 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, paint a robust picture of compensation opportunities in New Bedford, where demand is likely to continue growing due to an aging population and shifting healthcare needs.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,774 | $32.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,936 | $37.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,880 | $40.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,261 | $47.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,274 | $51.57 |
Median Salary Position
23.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,500 (2026 est.). At $83,880, the local median is 23.22% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $83,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $83,297 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.22% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $83,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.22% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $83,297.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,880 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,309 — a 7.83% reduction.
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
$57,320
2025 BLS Actual
$79,357
2026 Current Est.
$83,880
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,357 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.4% from $57,320 (2019) to $79,357 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,342 (54.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $66,774 – $77,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,936 – $83,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,880 – $98,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,261 – $107,274 |
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 New Bedford
With 24 licensed practical nurses employed in the New Bedford area, the local job market remains competitive despite the relatively high cost of living index of 108.5. This figure indicates that while wages are above the national average, the purchasing power may be affected by increased living expenses. Among the potential employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most attractive compensation, followed by home health agencies and hospitals; however, optimal pay strategies can depend on various factors, including work settings. Weekend and holiday shifts, certification in IV therapy, and charge LPN roles can significantly enhance earnings. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in New Bedford, pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions in long-term care or agencies that value experience can be beneficial.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Bedford, MA in 2026?
Is New Bedford, MA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in New Bedford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in New Bedford?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in New Bedford?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $79,357 for licensed practical nursesin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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