Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States is $97,850 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,662
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,380 to $109,267
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,669
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View as table View as graph 25% $89,380 10% $81,669 90% $119,662 75% $109,267 $97,850 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $109,267 $9,106 $2,101 $53
Average $97,850 $8,154 $1,882 $47
25th Percentile $89,380 $7,448 $1,719 $43
Check out Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Job Openings in the United States
Med Surg Travel Nurse

Advantis Medical Staffing - Columbus, OH

Med Surg Registered Nurse

Amergis Healthcare Staffing - Columbus, OH

Oncology Med Surg Nurse

Mount Carmel Health - Columbus, OH

Registered Nurse Med Surg Oncology

Flagstar Nursing - Columbus, OH

Search More Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries

A Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $94,259
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,509
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,850
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,551
  • Expert (over 8 years): $102,887
Levels Salary
Entry Level Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse$94,259
Intermediate Level Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse$94,509
Senior Level Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse$97,850
Specialist Level Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse$102,551
Expert Level Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse$102,887
$94,259 0 yr
$94,509 < 2 yrs
$97,850 2-4 yrs
$102,551 5-8 yrs
$102,887 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurses

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $123,418
  • San Francisco: $122,067
  • Oakland: $119,494

What Skills Can Increase a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.88% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Anesthesia (Mentioned in 3.92% Job Postings): Administering and controlling sedations and narcotics to help patients relieve pain during various surgeries and treatments.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.88%
Anesthesia 3.92%
CPR 2.11%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's salary.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Engagement
$104,699
7%
Risk Management
$103,721
6%
Verbal Communication
$103,721
6%
Accountability
$103,721
6%
Anesthesia
$102,742
5%
Ambulatory Surgery
$102,742
5%
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Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$117,420$56.020%

How Education impacts a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurses enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse with a Associate's Degree is between $93,081 and $98,871).

Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 0.8%
Associates 46.1%
Bachelors 47.7%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse

Salaries for a Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $210,006 in 2023 to around $204,258 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$210,006
2024
$212,261
2025
$204,258
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $210,006
2024 $212,261
2025 $204,258
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse

Here are companies hiring for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Anders Group, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Anders Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Travel Med/Surg Registered Nurse (RN). Join Anders Group for a travel nursing assignment in COLUMBUS, OH for a 13 week assignment. This opportunity allows ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Iannarino Fullen Group

    Columbus, OH

    Iannarino Fullen Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Job Requirements. Shift. 1:30PM - 9:30PM -Mon-Fri (2nd Shift). We are seeking a compassio... more

    1 Day Ago

  • BoldAge PACE

    Columbus, OH

    BoldAge PACE | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Join BoldAge PACE and Make a Difference. Why work with us. A People First Environment. We make what is important to those... more

    1 Day Ago

  • StoryPoint

    Columbus, OH

    StoryPoint | Columbus, OH

    Licensed Practical Nurse. StoryPoint Columbus. Part-Time 1st shift - 7AM-3PM. Must haves from you to be a Nurse Supervisor/LPN. Licensed Practical Nurse (L... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Paramount Senior Living

    Columbus, OH

    Paramount Senior Living | Columbus, OH

    Licensed Practical Nurse. Are you looking for a stable job with good pay and room to grow. As a licensed practical nurse, you will build strong relationshi... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Trilogy Healthcare Services

    Columbus, OH

    Trilogy Healthcare Services | Columbus, OH

    Join Team Trilogy. At Trilogy, you'll experience a caring, supportive community that values each team member. We prioritize meaningful relationships, genui... more

    2 Days Ago

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FAQ about Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Med Surg Licensed Practical Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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