Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pearl, MS: $70,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Pearl, MS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $70,887/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Pearl's price premium (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $82,715 in average-cost America. The 23% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl, Mississippi, senior licensed practical nurses stand to earn a median annual salary of $57,784 in 2026. For those at the top of their profession, the potential salary reaches $70,887, marking a significant gap from the median that is reflective of advanced experience and specialized skills. This top-tier earning is quite competitive, though it remains approximately 15.11% below the national median of $68,071 for LPNs. Achieving such high compensation requires not only over seven years of experience but also the pursuit of advanced certifications and a focus on in-demand specialties, which can bridge the divide between median and peak earnings.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Pearl earn between $66,383 and $70,887 per year (2026 est.). This $25,269 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Pearl median of $57,784 sits 15.11% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Pearl | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $57,784 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,383 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $70,887 | $88,196 |
In Pearl, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 22.68% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Pearl
Advanced Certifications in Mississippi
MS licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $57,784 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Pearl employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Pearl command premium compensation, often reaching the $66,383–$70,887 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Pearl metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Pearl with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Pearl
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedPearl ranks #6 of 20 Mississippi cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $70,887).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Pearl ($70,887) is 6.69% above the Mississippi average P90 ($66,440).
2019 BLS Actual
$50,925
2025 BLS Actual
$67,064
2026 Current Est.
$70,887
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,661 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,392 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,587 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,744 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,064 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,927 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Pearl saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $50,925 in 2019 to $67,064 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $74,927 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Pearl
In deciding where to focus their career efforts, experienced licensed practical nurses in Pearl can greatly benefit from specializations such as wound care, IV therapy, and palliative care, which command higher premiums in the local market. The type of employer also substantially influences senior licensed practical nurse pay in MS, with skilled nursing facilities and hospice organizations typically offering superior compensation compared to hospitals or physician offices. Opportunities for advancement, like taking on roles as charge LPNs or pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs, can further enhance earning potential. Nursing supervisors or MDS coordinators in long-term care settings often see higher-than-average salaries. Additionally, obtaining relevant credentials enhances earning prospects, with active LPN licenses and certifications in areas like IV therapy providing further value. Non-salary factors, including shift differentials and specialized pay rates, can also play a critical role in overall compensation for seasoned professionals in this region.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Pearl in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Pearl?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Pearl?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Pearl?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Pearl?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $67,064 for licensed practical nurses in the Pearl metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pearl 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