Whether you're a seasoned licensed practical nurse (LPN) or just starting out, knowing your earning potential and job opportunities is crucial. Find a wealth of vital information to make a good living as an LPN in Oklahoma, from average salaries to location-specific wages and per diem options.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Oklahoma?
LPN pay per hour varies in Oklahoma from approximately $21.56 to $24.26. Check the table below to see average wages in different areas of Oklahoma (OK) and links to cities and towns with per diem job offers and their pay rates.
Table #1 Areas, Cities/Towns, and Average Wages
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average LPN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Oklahoma (most recent information as of January 2024). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in Oklahoma 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 regarding per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
Location Impacts the Average LPN Salary
Location significantly impacts Oklahoma LPN pay. As you can see, BLS data shows a variation of over $3 per hour or nearly $6,000 per year. Tulsa and Lawson top the pay chart, followed by Oklahoma City. But remember, per diem or PRN nursing jobs often have higher hourly compensation across the state because facilities save the overhead costs of hiring employees and paying benefits.
Knowing the current hourly rates and the yearly wages is crucial for licensed practical nurses, especially those considering per diem LPN jobs in Oklahoma, which usually pay by the hour. Information on the rates allows you to compare per diem—also called PRN—offers with typical LPN wages (see table above).
Why Do PRN Nursing Jobs Offer Better Pay?
Healthcare systems face constant staffing gaps due to absences, vacations, and busy periods such as the winter. To fill these needs promptly, they offer premium hourly wages. Per diem nurses act as lifesavers, ensuring high-quality patient care during these fluctuating times.
With Nursa, you will find per diem LPN jobs in Oklahoma that offer flexibility and attractive hourly rates. You can advance in your nursing career and, at the same time, choose your shifts and create your own schedule.
What's the Average LPN Pay in the State of Oklahoma?
Compare average LPN wages in Oklahoma with the national average.
LPNs in Oklahoma, on average, make $7,000 less per year than the national average LPN wage. However, Oklahoma LPN wages range widely, from under $38,270 to above $58,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides straightforward percentiles of Oklahoma's typical LPN pay range—in other words, percentages of LPNs who earn up to a certain amount.
- 10th percentile: $38,270
- 25th percentile: $41,620
- 50th percentile: $47,860
- 75th percentile: $53,050
- 90th percentile: $58,000
What do these wage percentiles mean? The 10th and lowest percentile indicates that 10 percent of LPNs in Oklahoma earn less than $38,000, while 90 percent earn more. The 90th and highest percentile specifies that 10 percent earn more than $58,000, and 90 percent earn less. Fifty percent of Oklahoma's LPNs earn over $47,860. Understanding mean wage percentiles helps you understand your potential income and make well-informed decisions regarding your financial future.
For further information on LPN salary, consult Nursa's LPN Salary Guide.
Cost of Living Considerations for Oklahoma
Along with a grasp of your potential income, it is also helpful to know your expenses. The annual living wage—the cost of living— is around $32,228 for one single adult, jumping to over double for a single adult with one child and above $87,000 for a single parent with two children.
The LPN yearly mean income in Oklahoma clearly covers the typical expenses of one adult but not of an adult with one or more children.
How Can I Earn More as a Nurse in Oklahoma?
One option to consider is picking up per diem shifts, which can efficiently boost your income. Nurses work per diem for multiple reasons, including exposure to other floors and specialties, meeting new nurses, and flexible schedules. Working per diem means "per day." Nurses who choose to work per diem can create their own schedules.
Across the nation, the top-paying industries for LPN jobs are personal care services, grantmaking and giving services, and insurance carriers.
How Many LPNs Does Oklahoma Currently Employ?
Knowing how much you can earn in Oklahoma may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. In addition, you may want to know which areas within the state employ more RNs. But first, let's understand the terminology.
What Does “Location Quotient” Mean?
The location quotient (LQ) tells you how much more or less of a specific job there is in a particular area compared to the average for the entire country. Therefore, a location quotient under one is lower than the nationwide average, and an LQ over one is higher.
What Does the Term “LPN Employment” Refer to in LPN Job Statistics?
LPN employment indicates the number of LPN jobs per 1,000 jobs in general in the state or area and is a valuable element for a comprehensive view of the job market.
What are the concentration and employment levels of LPNs in each area of Oklahoma?
The North Eastern Non-Metropolitan area shows the highest concentration of LPN jobs in relation to other jobs in the area and the national average. However, Oklahoma City, the most significant area population-wise, shows the greatest number of LPNs working there. LPNs in Oklahoma often work alongside certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
How Can I Become an LPN in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma requires LPN applicants to attend a board-certified nursing program, pass the NCLEX exam within two years of graduation, and submit an application typically with the following items:
- Official transcripts from a state-approved nursing program
- Proof of passing the NCLEX-PN
- Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.—citizenship or visa, usually presenting a Social Security card, a driver's license, a Native American tribal document, or a passport
- A fingerprint-based criminal background check
- $85 fee payment
In this state, LPN licenses expire every two years and require continuing qualifications for renewal.
LPN Nursing Schools in Oklahoma
With over 40 LPN programs in Oklahoma, you can get an idea of the training by looking into five of the top nursing schools:
- Francis Tuttle Technology Center, in Oklahoma City, one-year
- Moore Norman Technology Center, in Norman, ten months full-time or 16 months part-time, programs for adults, a program for high school students
- Central Oklahoma College, in Oklahoma City, one-year
- Tulsa Tech Health Sciences Center, in Tulsa, one-year
- Northeast Tech, in Pryor, 12 to 15 months
LPN nursing schools in Oklahoma usually have one to two-year programs depending primarily on whether you study full-time or part-time.
Once you are an experienced LPN, you have the advantage of fast-track LPN to RN Oklahoma bridge programs that take only two or three semesters for an Associate Degree in Nursing and more for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, all preparing graduates to take the National Council Licensing Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Schools with just such programs can be found in various towns and cities.
- The Connors State College Department of Nursing in Muskogee has its Career Ladder Program.
- LPNs and paramedics can become registered nurses in three semesters through a streamlined Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City program.
- Murray State College, located in Ardmore, Tishomingo, and Durant, offers a 12-month Online Career Mobility Hybrid Program.
- Tulsa Community College has a Nursing Career Mobility Track.
For more information, see a complete list of LPN to RN or LPN to BSN Programs in OK. Many combine online instruction with weekend in-person clinic and lab experience and classes designed to allow students to continue working full-time while earning their associate degree.
How Can I Find LPN Jobs in Oklahoma?
Register with Nursa, find healthcare facilities looking for nurses, and apply. Nursa puts you in contact with hospitals, nursing homes, and other organizations that need your skills and dedication to fill shifts effectively.
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