How Much Does an LPN Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

A typical LPN in Pennsylvania earns about $30.74 per hour, or $63,940 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $5,328 a month and $1,230 a week. Those monthly and weekly numbers give a clearer sense of take-home pay than the yearly figure alone.

That pay runs about 1% below the national figures of $30.96 an hour and $64,400 a year, a gap wide enough to notice but not steep. Pennsylvania ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories on LPN pay. With 38,260 LPNs working across the state, Pennsylvania's workforce is large enough that pay figures reflect a broad, stable labor market rather than a handful of outlier jobs.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $24.76 an hour, or about $51,500 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay typically rises toward the state's typical pay of $30.74 an hour within the first several years on the job. New LPNs in hospitals or long-term care settings often start near this range before moving into higher-paying roles.

Experienced LPNs in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $35.01 an hour, or about $72,810 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $77,750 a year. That leaves a spread of $26,250 between entry-level and top pay, a gap usually explained by years on the job, care setting, and city.

Pennsylvania LPN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $44,020 in 2015 to $63,940 in 2025. That's a gain of $19,920, or 45%, over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly smooth: pay dipped slightly in 2021 before climbing sharply between 2022 and 2024.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade, a bit faster than Pennsylvania's climb. That comparison shows Pennsylvania's growth kept pace with the country as a whole, even if it landed a few points behind. Someone starting an LPN career in Pennsylvania now enters a field where pay has moved up substantially over ten years, though past growth doesn't guarantee future increases.

Philadelphia pays LPNs the most among Pennsylvania cities, at $70,710 a year, about 11% above the state figure. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits. Lebanon and Reading follow, with LPNs there earning $65,430 and $64,950 a year.

Johnstown pays the least among Pennsylvania's tracked cities, at $57,320 a year, leaving a spread of $13,390 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Philadelphia also has the largest LPN workforce in the state, with 15,920 workers. Lower pay in places like Johnstown usually tracks a lower cost of living.

Pennsylvania's LPN pay falls below most of its neighbors. New Jersey pays the most nearby, at $75,160 a year (18% higher), followed by Maryland at $74,660 (17% higher), Delaware at $68,710 (7% higher), and New York at $67,180 (5% higher). Ohio pays less, at $61,950 (3% lower), and West Virginia pays the least, at $55,360 (13% lower). LPN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state.

A typical LPN in Pennsylvania earns $63,940 a year, up 45% over the past decade from $44,020 in 2015. Pay runs slightly below the national figure and varies by city, from $57,320 in Johnstown to $70,710 in Philadelphia. Readers weighing this career should check Pennsylvania's nursing licensing requirements and look at city-specific pay pages for local figures before deciding where to work.