Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $64,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $64,181/year (≈ $30.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $74,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in St. Joseph, MO is projected to be $64,181 annually, reflecting a competitive wage in the context of the local job market. The range of earnings extends from $50,567 at the lower end to $75,079 for those at the higher end, which indicates variability based on workplace settings such as skilled nursing facilities vs. home health agencies. Data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights that while St. Joseph's salaries fall approximately 5.71% below the national median of $68,071, the area is witnessing a 5.70% growth rate per annum, suggesting a strengthening demand for LPNs. With nearly 290 employed in the region, the roles available span various sectors, which ultimately affects compensation across different facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,567 | $24.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,382 | $28.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,181 | $30.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,997 | $32.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,079 | $36.10 |
Median Salary Position
5.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,512 (2026 est.). At $64,181, the local median is 5.71% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be above the median
How St. Joseph Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $64,181/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,504 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.71% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $64,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.71% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% below the Missouri state average of $64,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 13.62% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.382 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,181 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,050
2025 BLS Actual
$60,720
2026 Current Est.
$64,181
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 47.9% from $41,050 (2019) to $60,720 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,789 (65.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $50,567 – $59,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,382 – $64,181 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,181 – $67,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,997 – $75,079 |
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 St. Joseph
Understanding the local job market is crucial for LPNs seeking to maximize their earnings in St. Joseph. With a cost of living index of 86.382, nurses can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power. In this area, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by hospitals and long-term care settings. Key factors such as shift differentials, certification stipends for areas like IV therapy, and weekend or holiday premiums contribute to the disparities seen in licensed practical nurse pay in St. Joseph, MO. For LPNs aiming to enhance their income, pursuing specialized certifications and gaining experience in high-demand environments can significantly influence overall compensation. Given the changes in healthcare delivery, with a notable shift from hospitals to outpatient and home health settings, understanding these dynamics could lead to better job placements and increases in earnings.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
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 $60,720 for licensed practical nursesin the St. Joseph 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