Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $40.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Salem, OR runs $40.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,137 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,483 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $40.45 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $32.73. This competitive rate is influential for those considering part-time employment, such as working three days a week, or opting for per-diem positions in various healthcare settings. Licensed practical nurses may find work in skilled nursing facilities, home health, physician offices, hospice care, correctional facilities, and assisted living facilities, where the demand for qualified nursing staff continues to grow. The hourly pay for LPNs in Salem ranges from $33.24 to $48.46, allowing both entry-level and experienced practitioners to find suitable positions that meet their financial needs. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS information, projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving landscape of healthcare roles within the region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.24 | $265.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.60 | $276.76 |
| Median (P50) | $40.45 | $323.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.97 | $335.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.46 | $387.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $40.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.45/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $84,139 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,542. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,618.06 | $7,012 | $84,139 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $970.83 | $4,207 | $50,483 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $647.22 | $2,805 | $33,656 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Salem) | $40.45 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Salem, OR earn a median of $84,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.60% higher than the national median of $68,071.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.45/hr = $50,483/year (purchasing power: $48,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,139/year (purchasing power: $81,177).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Salem grew 43.8% from $26.62/hr (2019) to $38.27/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Salem
Looking at the financial implications of different work arrangements reveals an intriguing picture. A licensed practical nurse working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home around $50,200 per year, which can be a reasonable income depending on individual financial obligations. In contrast, per diem licensed practical nurses in Salem generally bill between $28 and $42 an hour, while agency positions at understaffed nursing facilities can command rates of $45 to $60 per hour. Variability in pay exists among different employer types; skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may offer lower rates compared to urgent care centers or hospitals that pay higher wages but can be less accommodating in terms of benefits. LPNs might face the dilemma of accepting lower hourly wages for jobs that include healthcare benefits or opting for higher-paying roles with no benefits. When negotiating rates, knowing the market average and articulating specific skills can greatly enhance an LPN’s ability to secure a more favorable hourly wage in Salem’s healthcare environment.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Salem in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Salem. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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