Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $63,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Jefferson City, MO earns a median $63,779/year (≈ $30.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Jefferson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $72,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jefferson City, MO, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $63,779, which is notably lower than the national median of $68,071. Salaries range from $50,218 at the 10th percentile to $80,448 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in job settings and responsibilities. The local LPN scope of practice influences earnings, particularly with robust opportunities in IV therapy and patient assessment, which are vital in long-term care environments. These figures are derived from BLS data collected in 2025 and projected for 2026, painting a clear picture of the compensation landscape for LPNs in Jefferson City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,218 | $24.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,653 | $25.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,779 | $30.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,823 | $34.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,448 | $38.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, MO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,230 (2026 est.). At $63,779, the local median is 6.31% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jefferson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jefferson City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Jefferson City median: $63,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jefferson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,489 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.31% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $63,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.31% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% below the Missouri state average of $64,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jefferson City has a cost of living 12.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jefferson City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 87.975 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,779 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,090
2025 BLS Actual
$60,340
2026 Current Est.
$63,779
2019–2027 Growth
+77.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jefferson City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 58.4% from $38,090 (2019) to $60,340 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,325 (76.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson 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) | $50,218 – $53,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,653 – $63,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,779 – $71,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,823 – $80,448 |
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 Jefferson City
The job market in Jefferson City shows stability with approximately 350 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, standing at 87.975, indicates that housing and other expenses are below the national average, allowing for a more comfortable take-home pay despite the median salary's comparison to national figures. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation rates among local employers, followed by home health agencies and some hospitals, particularly for LPNs with specialized skills like IV therapy. The variation in pay often stems from setting—skilled nursing typically pays more—and benefits such as shift differentials or bonuses for working weekends and holidays. To maximize earning potential, LPNs should consider seeking positions in long-term care or acquiring additional certifications to enhance their marketability, especially in roles requiring advanced skills.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Jefferson City, MO in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Jefferson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Jefferson City?
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Related Pages
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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 $60,340 for licensed practical nursesin the Jefferson 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, 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