Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Altoona, PA: $63,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Altoona, PA earns a median $63,082/year (≈ $30.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $70,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the projected salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is estimated at $63,082 annually, reflecting unique dynamics in the local healthcare job market compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs spans from $47,132 at the lower end to $75,935 at the higher end, indicating variability based on employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscores the different pay implications associated with various practice environments, where skilled nursing roles typically offer higher compensation than positions in home health or physician offices. As hospitals increasingly employ RNs over LPNs, the demand for skilled nursing professionals is expected to remain strong in Altoona.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,132 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,364 | $25.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,082 | $30.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,952 | $33.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,935 | $36.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,803 (2026 est.). At $63,082, the local median is 7.33% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be above the median
How Altoona Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Altoona median: $63,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,753 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -7.33% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Altoona, PA earn a median of $63,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.33% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,082 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,477 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,420
2025 BLS Actual
$59,680
2026 Current Est.
$63,082
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,677 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.4% from $43,420 (2019) to $59,680 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,677 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,257 (53.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $47,132 – $52,364 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,364 – $63,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,082 – $69,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,952 – $75,935 |
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 Altoona
With 630 licensed practical nurses currently working in Altoona, the local employment scene presents multiple opportunities, particularly in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 89.507, which indicates that LPNs in Altoona can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many regions, enhancing their overall financial well-being. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, often due to the complexity of care provided. The disparity in salaries arises from various factors such as shift differentials, certifications in IV therapy, and premium pay for weekends and holidays. To maximize earnings in this market, LPNs can consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking out roles in higher-paying healthcare settings, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities. These strategies can contribute significantly to enhancing one’s licensed practical nurse pay in Altoona, PA.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $59,680 for licensed practical nursesin the Altoona 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