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Your Guide to LPN Salary in Ohio [2024]

Ohio is home to excellent nursing schools and healthcare facilities and offers the fourth-highest LPN wages in the region. 

Area Mean Annual Wage Mean Hourly Wage Area Mean Annual Wage Mean Hourly Wage
Akron $52,190 $25.09 Canton-Massillon $49,890 $23.98
Cincinnati $54,050 $25.99 Cleveland-Elyria $54,270 $26.09
Columbus $54,930 $26.41 Dayton $51,770 $24.89
Huntington-Ashland $45,900 $22.07 Lima $50,400 $23.42
Mansfield $48,710 $23.42 Springfield $51,390 $24.71
Toledo $51,080 $24.56 Weirton-Steubenville $47,110 $22.65
Wheeling $47,070 $22.63 Youngstown-Warren-Boardman $48,100 $23.12
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $49,300 $23.70 North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $49,280 $23.69
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $48,990 $23.55 Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $49,920 $24.00

This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average LPN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Ohio (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in Ohio the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.

What's the Average LPN Salary in the State of Ohio?

If you are wondering how much an LPN makes in Ohio, we won’t keep you waiting. The average licensed practical nurse wage in the state is $52,330 annually or $25.16 hourly. In comparison, the national average is $55,860.

Ohio's licensed practical nurse pay typically ranges from $40,720 to $60,850. The following list shows the complete wage range:

  • 10th percentile: $40,720
  • 25th percentile: $47,350
  • 50th percentile: $50,590
  • 75th percentile: $57,070
  • 90th percentile: $60,850

The percentiles represent the LPNs that earn less than the designated amount. For example, 10 percent of LPNs earn less than $40,720. Therefore, 90 percent earn more.

Highest-Paying Cities in Ohio for Licensed Practical Nurses

Are you looking for the highest-paying cities in Ohio? In the following list are the top five highest-paying cities for LPNs:

So, if you are looking for high-paying LPN jobs in Ohio, consider looking in these cities.

LPNs in Ohio who want to earn a higher salary can pick up nearby shifts with Nursa.

How Do LPNs Make More Money in Ohio?

Different factors can affect the pay of a practical nurse. As shown in the previous table, one of them is location. Depending on the city you work in, your earnings will vary. Another factor is the industry you work in: hospitals, nursing homes, home health, etc.

Employment in Ohio by Area

Opportunities vary, and some areas can have a higher number of employed LPNs than others. For that reason, the following chart shows the LPN employment and the location quotient (LQ) by area of Ohio:

Area Employment LQ Area Employment LQ
Akron 1,910 1.42 Canton-Massillon 1,390 2.01
Cincinnati 6,210 1.37 Cleveland-Elyria 6,490 1.54
Columbus 6,410 1.41 Dayton 2,620 1.69
Huntington-Ashland 1,440 2.65 Lima 470 2.25
Mansfield 350 1.68 Springfield 440 2.20
Toledo 2,030 1.67 Weirton-Steubenville 380 2.44
Wheeling 480 1.91 Youngstown-Warren-Boardman 1,810 2.12
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 1,690 1.61 North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 2,780 2.02
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 1,220 2.17 Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 1,750 2.61

The location quotient shows the LPN concentration in an area compared to the national average. The national average is an LQ of one. Therefore, an LQ above or below one shows a higher or lower concentration of LPNs in the area than the national average.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Ohio?

Knowing how much you can earn in Ohio may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. However, this knowledge only gives you a part of the necessary financial information to make important life decisions. Hence, it is crucial to understand the basic details of the cost of living in Ohio as well.

Here are some cost of living considerations for Ohio: You generally must earn at least $15.33 per hour working full-time if you are a single adult without any dependents. If you live with a partner and only you work, you will need to make $25.41 per hour; if you both work, each one will need to make $12.68 hourly working full-time.

Based on the average cost of living in Ohio, single LPNs and practical nurses with working partners can cover basic living expenses in this state.

LPNs in Ohio can enjoy long walks on country roads on their days off work.

How Can I Become an LPN in Ohio?

To become an LPN, you typically must complete an approved program by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Afterward, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). 

Ohio is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows LPNs from other states that are part of the NLC to practice in Ohio—with some exceptions. However, if you live in a state not part of the NLC, you can generally become licensed by endorsement if you want to move to Ohio. 

Are you thinking of becoming a licensed practical nurse? There are many LPN programs in Ohio. To help you get started, here is a list of schools with practical nursing programs:

  • Owens Community College
  • Northwest State Community College
  • Knox Technical Center
  • North Central State College
  • Lorain County Community College

Also, read about the difference between an LPN and a registered nurse (RN) to help you decide which path to take.

How to Find Per Diem Independent Contractor LPN Jobs in Ohio

Looking for a job can be challenging. Nevertheless, nowadays, technology has evolved to a point where we can find what we are looking for with just a click. 

Nursa is a digital open nurse market where you can search for per diem LPN, RN, and certified nursing assistant (CNA) jobs in Ohio. Now, you may be wondering what a per diem job is.

A per diem job is usually a single shift. This job type lets you decide where and when you want to work.

Bringing this type of job to your life allows you to earn a higher pay per shift and have more flexibility. The following list has links to per diem jobs in different cities in Ohio so you can start changing your life today.


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