How Much Does an LPN Make in Ohio in 2026?

A typical LPN in Ohio earns about $29.78 per hour ($61,950 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,162 a month and $1,191 a week. Those weekly and monthly figures are calculated, not separately reported, but they give a practical sense of take-home pay.

Ohio's typical LPN pay sits 4% below the national figure of $64,400 a year, according to the same source. Lower pay like this usually tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. That comparison places Ohio 37th out of 51 states and territories ranked for LPN pay. The state employs 39,900 LPNs, a workforce large enough that these figures reflect a broad, stable market rather than a handful of outlier jobs.

Entry-level LPN positions in Ohio typically offer around $24.05 an hour, or about $50,030 a year, for those just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $61,950 within the first few years on the job. New graduates in hospital or long-term care settings often start near this range before moving into higher-paying roles.

Experienced LPNs in Ohio often earn upwards of $35.64 an hour, or about $74,120 a year, among the top 10% of earners. That's a spread of $24,090 between entry-level and top-tier pay across the state. The gap typically reflects years of experience, the type of facility, and which city the job is located in.

Ohio's typical LPN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, rising from $40,750 in 2015 to $61,950 in 2025. That's a gain of $21,200, or 52%, over ten years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with a notable jump between 2022 and 2023 as pay moved from $50,590 to $58,130.

That 52% rise outpaces the national LPN pay increase of 49% over the same period. For someone starting an LPN career in Ohio now, the trend shows pay has moved up steadily, though past increases are not a guarantee of future raises. The state's pay growth has kept pace with, and slightly exceeded, national trends.

Cincinnati pays LPNs the most in Ohio, with typical pay of $64,180 a year ($30.85 an hour), about 4% above the statewide figure. Cleveland follows closely at $63,900 a year, and Sandusky rounds out the top tier at $62,520. These figures reflect pay across each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Steubenville pays the least among Ohio's tracked cities, with typical LPN pay of $58,200 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $5,980. Columbus, the state capital, has the largest LPN workforce at 7,270 workers, though its typical pay of $61,910 sits close to the statewide figure rather than at the top. Smaller cities and rural areas tend to fall toward the lower end of that range.

Ohio's LPN pay trails its neighbors on most sides: Indiana pays 6% more at $65,720 a year, and Michigan pays a similar 6% more at $65,460. Pennsylvania runs about 3% higher at $63,940. Kentucky pays slightly less, about 2% below Ohio at $60,460, and West Virginia trails furthest at 11% below Ohio, or $55,360 a year. Nursing licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can open up options for LPNs near the border.

Ohio LPNs typically earn $61,950 a year ($29.78 an hour), a figure that has risen 52% over the past decade for the state's LPN workforce. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $50,030 to top earners over $74,120. For state-specific licensing requirements, check Ohio's board of nursing registry page; for local pay details, see the city-by-city breakdowns for Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other Ohio metro areas.