How Much Does an LPN Make in Minnesota in 2026?

A typical LPN in Minnesota earns about $30.65 per hour ($63,750 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,312 a month and $1,226 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures describe pay for a typical LPN in the state, before accounting for city, employer, or experience differences.

That is about 1% below the national typical pay of $64,400 a year, a modest gap that likely reflects Minnesota's cost of living relative to higher-paying states. Among all 51 states and D.C., Minnesota ranks 27th for LPN pay. The state employs 12,840 LPNs, compared with 648,410 nationwide, a workforce large enough to support steady pay data across its cities.

Entry-level positions in Minnesota typically offer around $24.86 an hour ($51,700 a year) for LPNs just starting out. Pay tends to rise steadily from there, moving toward the state's typical rate of $30.65 an hour within the first few years on the job. New graduates in larger cities or hospital settings often see faster increases than those in smaller facilities.

Experienced LPNs in Minnesota often earn upwards of $34.26 an hour ($71,270 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $37.20 an hour ($77,380 a year). That leaves a spread of $25,680 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all play a role in where an individual LPN lands within that range.

Minnesota LPN pay has climbed from $42,670 in 2015 to $63,750 in 2025, a gain of $21,080. That amounts to a 49% increase over the decade. The rise has been fairly steady year over year, with a brief dip in 2021 before accelerating again in 2022 and 2023.

Nationally, LPN pay has risen by the same 49% over the past decade, so Minnesota's growth has kept pace with the country as a whole. For someone starting out now, that decade of gains points to pay that has moved up consistently, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.

Minneapolis pays LPNs the most in Minnesota, with a typical $65,660 a year ($31.57 an hour) across its metro area, about 3% above the state figure. Mankato and Onalaska follow closely, with typical pay of $64,400 and $63,950 a year. Rochester rounds out the higher end at $63,750 a year, close to the statewide typical rate.

Duluth pays the least among Minnesota's tracked cities, with typical pay of $60,930 a year ($29.29 an hour), a spread of $4,730 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Minneapolis also has the largest LPN workforce in the state, with about 6,300 workers. City figures cover each metro area as a whole, and differences generally track local living costs rather than anything else.

Minnesota's LPN pay is close to Wisconsin's, where typical pay is $63,760 a year, essentially even with Minnesota. Iowa and North Dakota pay a bit less, at $62,630 and $62,300 a year, about 2% below Minnesota. South Dakota pays noticeably less, with typical pay of $52,750 a year, 17% below Minnesota's figure. LPN licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

A typical LPN in Minnesota earns about $63,750 a year, with pay that has climbed 49% over the past decade. That growth has kept pace with the national trend, and Minnesota's typical pay sits close to the national figure overall. Readers who want specifics on requirements can check Minnesota's nursing licensure or registry page, and city-level figures for Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth, and other Minnesota cities are covered on their own pages.