Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ponca City, OK: $56,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ponca City, OK earns a median $56,222/year (≈ $27.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Ponca City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $63,242 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, Oklahoma, the 2026 projection shows that a licensed practical nurse (LPN) can expect to earn a median annual salary of $56,222. This figure reflects a local compensation scenario where salaries range from $47,692 at the 10th percentile to $68,655 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, highlight a significant difference from the 2026 national median of $68,071, showcasing a regional pay disparity of approximately 17.41%. The scope of practice in Oklahoma allows LPNs to perform IV therapy and patient assessments, which may positively influence both job responsibilities and compensation opportunities within local healthcare settings.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,692 | $22.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,780 | $25.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,222 | $27.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,706 | $31.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,655 | $33.01 |
Median Salary Position
17.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponca City
In Ponca City, OK, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,963 (2026 est.). At $56,222, the local median is 17.41% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponca City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ponca City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ponca City median: $56,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponca City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $60,519 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -17.41% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ponca City, OK earn a median of $56,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $60,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ponca City has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ponca City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $56,222 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,242 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,215
2025 BLS Actual
$53,190
2026 Current Est.
$56,222
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,322 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,112 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,426 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponca City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $39,215 (2019) to $53,190 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,426 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,211 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponca 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) | $47,692 – $53,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,780 – $56,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,222 – $64,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,706 – $68,655 |
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 Ponca City
Despite a modest employment environment with only four LPNs in Ponca City, factors beyond basic salary figures contribute significantly to the overall financial context for these professionals. The cost-of-living index sits at 88.9, meaning that the purchasing power for LPNs is slightly better than the national average, allowing for more viable living conditions. Higher-paying positions are typically found in skilled nursing facilities and specialized long-term care, as these employers often provide shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and holiday pay premiums. To maximize earnings in this market, LPNs could consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment in facilities that offer additional incentives, which can bridge the gap between lower and higher wages commonly seen in other settings, such as physician offices and home health agencies.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Ponca City?
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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 $53,190 for licensed practical nursesin the Ponca 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
Salary data for Ponca City 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