Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Reading, PA: $68,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Reading, PA earns a median $68,652/year (≈ $33.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $70,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurse salaries in Reading, PA, demonstrate a competitive market for healthcare professionals in 2026. With a median annual salary projected at $68,652, Reading's licensed practical nurse pay stands slightly above the national median of $68,071. The salary range spans from $59,763 at the 10th percentile to $81,008 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are significant opportunities for LPNs to enhance their earnings based on experience, certifications, and settings. These figures are derived from the annual Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which detail how state-specific LPN scope-of-practice rules, like those governing IV therapy and patient assessments, contribute to salary variations across the healthcare landscape in Reading.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,763 | $28.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,122 | $31.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,652 | $33.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,626 | $37.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,008 | $38.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,245 (2026 est.). At $68,652, the local median is 0.85% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Reading median: $68,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,782 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.85% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Reading, PA earn a median of $68,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $66,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,652 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,732 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,720
2025 BLS Actual
$64,950
2026 Current Est.
$68,652
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 30.6% from $49,720 (2019) to $64,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,845 (45.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $59,763 – $65,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,122 – $68,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,652 – $77,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,626 – $81,008 |
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 Reading
In terms of local employment dynamics, there are approximately 990 licensed practical nurses operating within Reading, indicating a stable demand for LPNs in this area. The cost of living index for Reading hovers at 97.06, just below the national average, suggesting greater purchasing power for LPNs compared to areas with higher costs. To maximize earning potential, nurses may find that skilled nursing facilities offer some of the highest salaries, particularly those that value IV therapy certification and have structured pay for extra shifts, weekends, and holidays. Competition among employers, including hospitals and home health agencies, is somewhat varied, with skilled nursing and long-term care setting generally providing better compensation packages. Those aspiring to elevate their licensed practical nurse salary in Reading should focus on acquiring specialized skills and consider shifts that include premium pay opportunities, ensuring they align their career paths with local market trends and employer demands.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Reading?
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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 $64,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Reading 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