Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Tacoma, WA: $42.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Tacoma, WA runs $42.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,064 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Tacoma's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,438 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For licensed practical nurses in Tacoma, Washington, the landscape of hourly compensation presents an attractive opportunity. With a median hourly rate of $42.82, LPNs in the area significantly outpace the national average of $32.73 per hour, demonstrating a 30.84% premium for their services. This hourly wage translates into favorable prospects for part-time workers, particularly those engaging in three-day work weeks, and for per-diem professionals operating in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities or home health care. The hourly range for LPNs in Tacoma varies widely, from entry-level positions around $32.14 to experienced professionals earning up to $59.45. These figures provide a clear picture of the potential earnings for LPNs navigating various healthcare environments within the city.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.14 | $257.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.51 | $308.05 |
| Median (P50) | $42.82 | $342.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.80 | $422.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.45 | $475.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tacoma
Based on $42.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.82/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tacoma, WA can expect to earn approximately $89,064 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,383. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tacoma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tacoma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,712.76 | $7,422 | $89,064 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,027.66 | $4,453 | $53,438 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.11 | $2,969 | $35,625 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Tacoma) | $42.82 |
| 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 Tacoma, WA earn a median of $89,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.84% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 6.70% above the Washington state average of $83,471.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.82/hr = $53,438/year (purchasing power: $49,756).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,064/year (purchasing power: $82,927).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Tacoma grew 35.6% from $29.87/hr (2019) to $40.51/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.26/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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma
Finding balance between hourly earnings and work schedule can significantly affect overall financial outcomes for licensed practical nurses in Tacoma. A part-time LPN working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $53,663 annually, a stark contrast to full-time counterparts who command higher earnings. Per-diem licensed practical nurses may find themselves billing at rates between $28 and $42 per hour, while agency positions at nursing facilities often yield much higher rates, reaching anywhere from $45 to $60 per hour. However, hourly rates differ by employer type, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offering different compensation structures. While some LPNs may accept lower hourly wages for additional benefits such as health insurance, the trade-offs often depend on personal needs and career goals. Effective negotiation is key in this competitive market; understanding personal worth and the prevailing rates for specific roles can empower LPNs to secure better compensation aligned with their expertise.
More salary data for Tacoma, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Tacoma in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Tacoma?
Are licensed practical nurses in Tacoma paid hourly or salary?
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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 Tacoma. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tacoma is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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