Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rochester, NY: $65,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Rochester, NY earns a median $65,597/year (≈ $31.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $67,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median salary for licensed practical nurses in Rochester, NY, is projected to be $65,597, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this region varies from $56,042 at the tenth percentile to $75,871 at the ninetieth percentile, illustrating the breadth of compensation opportunities available in this profession. These insights are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, revealing how Rochester's job market dynamics and licensure scope influence pay. In this state, LPNs have authority over procedures such as IV therapy and comprehensive patient assessments, which may contribute to higher compensation levels when compared to other localities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,042 | $26.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,547 | $30.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,597 | $31.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,701 | $32.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,871 | $36.48 |
Median Salary Position
3.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,829 (2026 est.). At $65,597, the local median is 3.63% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Rochester median: $65,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,461 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.63% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester, NY earn a median of $65,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.63% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the New York state average of $66,461.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,597 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,820
2025 BLS Actual
$62,060
2026 Current Est.
$65,597
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.9% from $42,820 (2019) to $62,060 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,516 (61.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $56,042 – $63,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,547 – $65,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,597 – $67,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,701 – $75,871 |
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 Rochester
Rochester's local job market currently employs approximately 3,330 licensed practical nurses, showcasing a healthy demand for skilled nursing professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 97.035, LPNs in this area gain a favorable position, as salaries stretch further compared to regions above the national average. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest wages, followed by hospitals and long-term care settings. The disparity between the lowest and highest pay for LPNs in Rochester can be attributed to factors such as setting, shift differentials, and the potential for stipends related to certifications like IV therapy. For those looking to maximize licensed practical nurse pay in Rochester, pursuing opportunities in long-term care or facilities offering weekend and holiday premiums can be strategically beneficial.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Rochester, NY in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Rochester?
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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 $62,060 for licensed practical nursesin the Rochester 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