Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $43.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Seattle, WA runs $43.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,348 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $43.55 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $32.73 per hour. This competitive rate not only attracts those looking to work full-time but also appeals to part-time and per-diem workers seeking flexible schedules in various healthcare settings. Part-time nurses working three days a week, for example, can earn a substantial income while balancing personal commitments, contributing to skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and more. For new LPNs, hourly wages start around $35.77, with experienced professionals reaching approximately $52.50. This data reflects official BLS statistics, highlighting Seattle as a lucrative market for LPNs.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.77 | $286.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.94 | $327.50 |
| Median (P50) | $43.55 | $348.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.10 | $392.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.50 | $420.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $43.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.55/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $90,581 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,258. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,741.94 | $7,548 | $90,581 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,045.16 | $4,529 | $54,348 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $696.77 | $3,019 | $36,232 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Seattle) | $43.55 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $90,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.06% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 8.50% above the Washington state average of $83,479.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.55/hr = $54,348/year (purchasing power: $48,904).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,581/year (purchasing power: $81,507).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Seattle grew 43.2% from $28.78/hr (2019) to $41.20/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.03/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Looking at the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses, a 24-hour workweek can result in a noticeable difference in take-home pay compared to full-time positions. This arrangement allows for greater flexibility but may yield lesser annual earnings based on the limited hours. Meanwhile, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Seattle often ranges from $28 to $42 per hour for those seeking immediate work opportunities, with some agency LPNs able to command $45 to $60 per hour in understaffed facilities. How these pay structures vary across employer types should be carefully considered. For instance, long-term care facilities and hospitals may offer steadier hours but may include lower rates, while private practices might provide flexibility along with lower benefits. LPNs must assess their financial priorities when choosing between hourly rates and benefits packages, especially since many healthcare employers in Seattle are adjusting their compensation strategies in the current labor market. Negotiating pay rates effectively requires research on local standards and clear communication of experience and skills, especially in a growing city like Seattle.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Seattle. 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