Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $74,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Grants Pass, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,857 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Grants Pass's local price level (BEA RPP 97.8 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,572 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($87,107) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of nursing in Grants Pass, Oregon, the starting licensed practical nurse salary is projected at $74,857 in 2026. While this figure sits below the overall city median salary of $87,107, it represents a solid entry point for those just beginning their careers. Over the next few years, graduates can expect to see salary growth as they gain experience, with realistic earnings likely increasing as they move towards the 25th percentile at $84,613 and into median ranges. Given the healthy projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, the market appears promising for those embarking on their nursing journeys in Grants Pass, with opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement contributing to their earnings potential.
Career Earnings Timeline in Grants Pass
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 Grants Pass
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Grants Pass, OR typically start between $74,857 and $84,613 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,585 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $87,107 — 27.96% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Oregon of $16,000 represents just 21.37% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($74,857/year) in Grants Pass. 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 Grants Pass
- 1Research the Grants Pass market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $74,857 to $84,613, 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 Grants Pass, 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 Grants Pass for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Grants Pass'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 Grants Pass is $29,585 ( 39.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,857, experienced hygienists can earn up to $104,442.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,840
2025 BLS Actual
$70,820
2026 Current Est.
$74,857
2019–2027 Growth
+84.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,124 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Grants Pass, OR grew 65.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,840 in 2019 to $70,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,124. New graduates entering the Grants Pass job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, employers that frequently recruit entry-level licensed practical nurses include skilled nursing facilities, which typically provide on-the-job orientation for new hires, making them a great option for freshly minted LPNs. Home health agencies also offer flexibility that can appeal to those entering the workforce, while some physician offices may prefer candidates with specific clinical experience. To enhance starting pay, graduates should ensure they possess key credentials, including an active LPN license, a practical nursing diploma from an approved program, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Options for further certification, such as IV therapy or wound care, can also play a role in salary elevation. LPNs can look towards transitioning to registered nursing through LPN-to-RN bridge programs as they gain experience in the field, aligning with the evolving healthcare landscape where long-term care remains a significant employment source for LPNs. Expectation for salary growth during the first few years in this role is reasonable, especially with the continued demand for skilled nurses in the region.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Grants Pass. 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