2024 Data

Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $60,325 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $29.00/hour | $38,240 - $85,825 range

Median Annual Salary

$60,325

1.0% vs national

Hourly Rate

$29.00

/hour

Jobs in Area

654

employed

Salary Range$38,240 - $85,825
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Philadelphia, PA

$60,325

San Jose, CA

$82,159

$21,834 more (+36.2%)

in San Jose, CA

Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range in Philadelphia, PA

Annual Salary Range

$60k

$38k

10th percentile

$50k

25th

$70k

75th

$86k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$38,240$18.38
25th Percentile$50,297$24.18
Median (50th Percentile)$60,325$29.00
75th Percentile$70,365$33.83
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$85,825$41.26
Average (Mean)$65,592$31.53

Licensed Practical Nurse Market Insights for Philadelphia, PA

Compensation Overview

Licensed Practical Nurse compensation in Philadelphia, PA aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $38,240 to $85,825 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Philadelphia, PA offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Pennsylvania economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Licensed Practical Nurse profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 124% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 42% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+1%

vs National Avg

-1%

vs State Avg

124%

Salary Range

654

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Licensed Practical Nurse salary growth in Philadelphia, PA based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$38,240

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$50,297

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$60,325

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$70,365

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$85,825

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Licensed Practical Nurse:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Philadelphia, PA

Where Licensed Practical Nurses Work

Licensed Practical Nurses work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Philadelphia, PA compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Philadelphia, PA

  • Research major employers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Pennsylvania
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Philadelphia, PA market rate of $60,325
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $38,240 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median licensed practical nurse salary in Philadelphia, PA is $60,325 per year ($29.00/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $38,240 for entry-level positions to $85,825 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Philadelphia, PA typically start at around $38,240 per year ($18.38/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $60,325 within 3-5 years.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Philadelphia, PA earn a median hourly wage of $29.00 per hour. Hourly rates range from $18.38/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $41.26/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $38,240 and $85,825.

The median licensed practical nurse salary of $60,325 in Philadelphia, PA is above the national median of $59,730 (1.0% higher). This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of licensed practical nurses in the area earn more and half earn less.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Philadelphia, PA earn above the national average. The local median salary of $60,325 is 1.0% higher than the national median of $59,730. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $57,893.

The top 10% of licensed practical nurses in Philadelphia, PA earn $85,825 or more per year ($41.26/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $70,365, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost licensed practical nurse salary in Philadelphia, PA include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $60,325, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($70,365) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Philadelphia, PA has a moderate job market for licensed practical nurses, with approximately 654 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $60,325 is above the national average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your licensed practical nurse salary to these Philadelphia, PA benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $38,240, 25th percentile: $50,297, 50th percentile (median): $60,325, 75th percentile: $70,365, 90th percentile (top earners): $85,825. If you earn more than $60,325, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $60,325 median base salary, licensed practical nurses in Philadelphia, PA typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced licensed practical nurses with 5-10 years in Philadelphia, PA typically earn $70,365 (75th percentile) to $85,825 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $85,825. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $60,325.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Philadelphia, PA can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($38,240) to median ($60,325) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($85,825) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $47,585 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-2061

SOC Classification

Sample Size

654

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Licensed Practical Nurse in Philadelphia, PA

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Median: $60,325/yr

How Philadelphia, PA Compares

vs National Average

$59,730

+1.0%

vs Pennsylvania Average

$60,646

-0.5%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$57,893

-4.0%

Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA is 4.2% above the national average.

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