Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Olympia, WA: $67,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Olympia, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,141 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Olympia's local price level (BEA RPP 103.7 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,764 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($85,987) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field as licensed practical nurses in Olympia, Washington, the starting licensed practical nurse salary in 2026 is projected at $67,141. However, this is noticeably lower than the city's median salary of $85,987, indicating a gap that many entry-level candidates will need to navigate initially. Over the first few years, as new grads gain more experience, their pay can progress through ranges as they advance; many can expect to see their salaries reach approximately $80,501 within their early careers. Olympia presents a favorable job market for licensed practical nurses, with a growth rate of 5.70% projected for the sector, allowing entry-level candidates to establish themselves in a thriving healthcare environment while working towards salary increases.
Career Earnings Timeline in Olympia
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 Olympia
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Olympia, WA typically start between $67,141 and $80,501 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,291 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $85,987 — 26.32% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Washington of $16,000 represents just 23.83% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($67,141/year) in Olympia. 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 Olympia
- 1Research the Olympia market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $67,141 to $80,501, 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 Olympia, 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 Olympia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Olympia'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 Olympia is $37,291 ( 55.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,141, experienced hygienists can earn up to $104,432.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,230
2025 BLS Actual
$63,520
2026 Current Est.
$67,141
2019–2027 Growth
+60.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,968 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Olympia, WA grew 43.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,230 in 2019 to $63,520 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,968. New graduates entering the Olympia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 Olympia
In Olympia, various employers are eager to bring on new LPN graduates, particularly skilled nursing facilities that often provide on-the-job orientation. Home health agencies are another excellent option, as they typically offer more flexible scheduling, which benefits new workers seeking work-life balance. Many physician offices look for candidates with direct clinic experience, so aspiring LPNs may want to consider internships or volunteering in those settings alongside their studies. Credentials play a pivotal role, too; having an active LPN/LVN license, completing a practical nursing diploma from a recognized program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and possibly obtaining additional certifications in IV therapy or wound care can significantly bolster new grad licensed practical nurse pay in WA. Exploring an LPN-to-RN bridge program is also a worthwhile career strategy, especially since hospitals increasingly lean towards all-RN staffing models, shaping the long-term career trajectory for licensed practical nurses as they aim for higher positions within healthcare.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Olympia in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Olympia?
Is nursing school worth it in Olympia?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Olympia?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Washington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Olympia. 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