Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Albany, OR: $64,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Albany, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,794 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albany's local price level (BEA RPP 102.1 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,461 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,148) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A new graduate entering the licensed practical nurse (LPN) workforce in Albany, Oregon can expect an entry-level salary around $64,794 in 2026. This starting amount is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $84,148, illustrating a notable gap for early-career professionals. Yet, potential for income growth is promising; within the first three to five years, salaries can advance from the P10 wage through to the P25 level of $73,800, allowing newly minted LPNs to gain a foothold in a competitive market. Albany's healthcare sector remains robust, making it a viable location for aspiring nurses to embark on their careers, particularly in light of the projected 5.70% growth rate, which could provide additional job opportunities and salary increases over time.
Career Earnings Timeline in Albany
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Albany, OR typically start between $64,794 and $73,800 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $34,744 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,148 — 23.62% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Oregon of $16,000 represents just 24.69% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($64,794/year) in Albany. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Albany
- 1Research the Albany market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $64,794 to $73,800, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albany, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Albany for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Albany's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Albany is $34,744 ( 53.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,794, experienced hygienists can earn up to $99,538.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,150
2025 BLS Actual
$61,300
2026 Current Est.
$64,794
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,487 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Albany, OR grew 35.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,150 in 2019 to $61,300 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,487. New graduates entering the Albany job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Albany
Employers in Albany largely focus on skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, which typically onboard new graduates through structured on-the-job training. In contrast, physician offices may prefer candidates with specific clinic experience, especially for those aiming to specialize in a certain field. To enhance earning potential, new LPNs should prioritize obtaining their active LPN/LVN license, completing a 12-18 month practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Additionally, acquiring certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further elevate starting wages. Given that the job market leans towards long-term care settings, where approximately 35% of LPNs are employed nationally, pursuing a pathway from LPN to RN could provide significant upward mobility. This strategic career move could yield increased responsibilities and higher salary expectations within the first few years in Albany.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Albany in 2026?
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Is nursing school worth it in Albany?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Albany?
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Albany. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov