Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Longview, WA: $74,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Longview, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,138 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Longview's local price level (BEA RPP 97.5 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,004 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($82,383) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduating as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Longview, WA, presents new professionals with promising first-job expectations. Starting salaries for entry-level positions are projected at around $74,138 in 2026, which positions new grads well below the city’s median salary of $82,383, highlighting a gap that will require growth through experience. Over the initial 3-5 years, many can anticipate gradual salary increases as they advance from entry-level to more experienced roles. While the starting pay may seem modest compared to the median, Longview is currently a favorable market for new graduates, with opportunities in various healthcare settings allowing for skill development and salary enhancement.
Career Earnings Timeline in Longview
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 Longview
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Longview, WA typically start between $74,138 and $74,867 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,150 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $82,383 — 21.03% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Washington of $16,000 represents just 21.58% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($74,138/year) in Longview. 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 Longview
- 1Research the Longview market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $74,138 to $74,867, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Longview, 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 Longview for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Longview'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 Longview is $26,150 ( 35.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,138, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,288.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,290
2025 BLS Actual
$70,140
2026 Current Est.
$74,138
2019–2027 Growth
+73.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,364 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Longview, WA grew 54.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,290 in 2019 to $70,140 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,364. New graduates entering the Longview job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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 Longview
In Longview, several employers actively seek new LPN graduates, particularly skilled nursing facilities that typically offer substantial on-the-job orientation to help ease the transition from training to practice. Home health agencies often provide flexible scheduling, making them an appealing avenue for young professionals. Physician's offices may favor candidates with specific clinical exposure, highlighting the importance of tailored experience. Strengthening credentials, such as maintaining an active LPN/LVN license and obtaining certifications in areas like IV therapy, can enhance a new grad's prospects and starting pay in Washington. Realistically, those in their first few years can expect gradual salary growth, particularly if they pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs, as the job landscape is shifting toward all-RN staffing models in many facilities, while long-term care continues to hire a substantial number of LPNs.
More salary data for Longview, WA:
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 Longview. 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