Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Castle, PA: $63,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in New Castle, PA earns a median $63,887/year (≈ $30.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in New Castle's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $65,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in New Castle, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach a median annual total of $63,887, which reflects a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary for these healthcare professionals ranges from a lower threshold of $51,959 at the 10th percentile to as much as $75,546 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected forward to 2026 by employing regional cost adjustments. In New Castle, the structural choices available for LPNs, such as roles in skilled nursing versus home health or clinic settings, considerably influence compensation, impacting how much do licensed practical nurses make in New Castle.
About the New Castle Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,959 | $24.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,998 | $29.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,887 | $30.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,000 | $34.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,546 | $36.32 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Castle
In New Castle, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,587 (2026 est.). At $63,887, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Castle: You'd be above the median
How New Castle Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
New Castle median: $63,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Castle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,758 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.15% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in New Castle, PA earn a median of $63,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Castle has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Castle, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,887 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,562
2025 BLS Actual
$60,442
2026 Current Est.
$63,887
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Castle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,263 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,059 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Castle metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,562 (2019) to $60,442 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,967 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Castle 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) | $51,959 – $61,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,998 – $63,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,887 – $72,000 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,000 – $75,546 |
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 New Castle
The local job market for licensed practical nurses shows modest strength, with only four employed in the area, indicating limited competition yet a stable demand. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 97.4, this positions LPNs in a unique financial environment where their purchasing power may be enhanced compared to more expensive markets. Skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, often surpassing other settings like home health agencies or physician offices. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to variables such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premium pay for holidays and weekends in long-term care settings. To maximize earnings in New Castle, LPNs should consider seeking long-term care positions and pursuing additional certifications, potentially opening doors to more lucrative roles within the healthcare system.
More salary data for New Castle, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Castle, PA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in New Castle?
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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 $60,442 for licensed practical nursesin the New Castle 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 New Castle 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