Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Medford, OR: $65,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Medford, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,809 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 101.4 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,879 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,672) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of practical nursing in Medford, Oregon, the projected starting licensed practical nurse salary Medford is anticipated to be around $65,809 in 2026. This figure represents the 10th percentile of earning potential, indicating that while entry-level salaries may be lower than the median salary of $83,672, there is room for growth. Over the first few years, new LPNs can aim for salaries that increase to approximately $78,799 as they gain experience and skills. This steady trajectory illustrates that while initial earnings may be modest, the potential for financial advancement in Medford's healthcare sector remains promising, making the city a viable market for fresh graduates entering this profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Medford, OR typically start between $65,809 and $78,799 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,760 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,672 — 22.92% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Oregon of $16,000 represents just 24.31% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($65,809/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $65,809 to $78,799, 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 Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $33,760 ( 51.30%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,809, experienced hygienists can earn up to $99,569.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,890
2025 BLS Actual
$62,260
2026 Current Est.
$65,809
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,560 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, OR grew 45.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,890 in 2019 to $62,260 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,560. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
Employers in Medford commonly hiring new grad licensed practical nurses include skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices. Skilled nursing facilities are particularly attractive for newly licensed nurses, offering structured on-the-job orientation that eases the transition from school to work. Home health agencies often provide flexible working hours that can be appealing to graduates seeking work-life balance. In a competitive market, having an active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing, alongside a practical nursing diploma and passing the NCLEX-PN, is essential for successful job placement. Additionally, earning optional certifications such as IV therapy or wound care can enhance employability and starting pay. As the scope of LPN practice can vary significantly by state, new nurses should consider pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs for future career advancement, especially as hospitals nationwide increasingly prefer RN staffing models. Realistic expectations in their first two to three years might see salary growth consistent with industry trends, reinforcing the importance of strategic career planning during this pivotal phase.
More salary data for Medford, 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 Medford. 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