Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $41.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Olympia, WA runs $41.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,987 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.7, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,591 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Olympia, WA, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $41.34 in 2026, which is significantly above the national median of $32.73. This competitive rate not only benefits full-time practitioners but also enhances the earning potential for part-time (working three days a week) and per-diem workers in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, physician offices, hospice care, and correctional facility medical units. The hourly range for LPNs in Olympia extends from $32.28 for entry-level positions to $50.21 for the most experienced nurses, highlighting the potential for substantial income growth within this career, especially in high-demand environments. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring that prospective LPNs have a clear understanding of their financial prospects in this region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.28 | $258.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.71 | $309.66 |
| Median (P50) | $41.34 | $330.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.34 | $386.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.21 | $401.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia
Based on $41.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.34/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $85,986 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,607. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,653.57 | $7,165 | $85,986 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $992.14 | $4,299 | $51,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $661.43 | $2,866 | $34,394 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Olympia) | $41.34 |
| 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 Olympia, WA earn a median of $85,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.32% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% above the Washington state average of $83,482.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.34/hr = $51,591/year (purchasing power: $49,765).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,986/year (purchasing power: $82,942).
CoL index: 103.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.1%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Olympia grew 41.5% from $27.64/hr (2019) to $39.11/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.70/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Olympia
When considering part-time work, a licensed practical nurse in Olympia working 24 hours a week could take home an annual income substantially lower than that of their full-time counterparts. While the per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Olympia can range from $28 to $42 per hour on average, those joining staffing agencies may earn between $45 to $60 per hour during critical shortages at nursing homes. Given the variety of employer types in Olympia, including long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals, the hourly rates can significantly fluctuate. Many LPNs make trade-offs, opting for positions that include health insurance benefits over higher hourly wages without advantages. For those looking to negotiate their pay, understanding the specific market rates and the nuances of each employer type will be essential in securing a position that aligns with their financial and professional goals in the practical nursing field.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Olympia in 2026?
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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 Olympia. 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