Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Traverse City, MI: $65,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Traverse City, MI earns a median $65,809/year (≈ $31.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Traverse City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $70,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Traverse City, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $65,809, slightly below the national median of $68,071. This salary reflects a range from $54,901 at the 10th percentile to $82,996 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the pay disparities that exist within this profession. Data for these projections is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which indicate not only the importance of base pay but also factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums that can significantly enhance compensation in long-term care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,901 | $26.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,223 | $30.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,809 | $31.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,985 | $37.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,996 | $39.90 |
Median Salary Position
3.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Traverse City
In Traverse City, MI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,095 (2026 est.). At $65,809, the local median is 3.32% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Traverse City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Traverse City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Traverse City median: $65,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Traverse City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $68,337 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.32% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Traverse City, MI earn a median of $65,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.70% below the Michigan state average of $68,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Traverse City has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Traverse City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.372 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,809 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,902
2025 BLS Actual
$62,260
2026 Current Est.
$65,809
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,198 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,745 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Traverse City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,902 (2019) to $62,260 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,658 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Traverse City 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) | $54,901 – $64,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,223 – $65,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,809 – $77,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,985 – $82,996 |
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 Traverse City
With 140 licensed practical nurses actively working in the area, Traverse City presents a solid job market for those entering the field. The cost of living index stands at 93.372, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power for LPNs is more favorable. Employers within skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. The variance in compensation often stems from the setting of employment, with skilled nursing positions typically offering more robust benefits. To maximize earning potential, LPNs should consider gaining additional certifications such as IV therapy and actively seek opportunities for weekend shifts, which are often compensated at higher rates, thus positively influencing take-home pay in the Traverse City MI market.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
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 $62,260 for licensed practical nursesin the Traverse City 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, 2-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