Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in District of Columbia: $80,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $80,184/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,533 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($75,860).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in the District of Columbia are projected to earn an average median salary of $80,184, which is significantly higher than the national median salary of $68,071, resulting in a 17.8% increase over the national average. The salary for licensed practical nurses in the District is uniform across cities, with Washington listed as both the highest and lowest paying city at $80,184, indicating no disparity within the district itself. This parity may stem from the centralized healthcare systems and uniform demand across the metropolitan area. The District's specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws contribute to this salary level. LPNs in D.C. must complete an accredited program and pass the NCLEX-PN, ensuring a consistent standard of skill and training. Factors driving demand include an aging population and an increasing need for healthcare services, projected to foster a job market growth rate of 5.70% annually, as per the latest data. With a total of 7,170 licensed practical nurses employed in the district, job prospects remain strong, attributable to ongoing needs in various healthcare settings. As the healthcare landscape evolves, LPNs will continue to play a vital role in patient care throughout the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $65,407 (lowest entry-level) to $92,456 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia licensed practical nurses earn 17.79% more than the national median (+$12,113/year difference).
District of Columbia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in District of Columbia range from $65,407 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,456 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,184. The District of Columbia median is $12,113 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $38.55/hr. Approximately 7,170 licensed practical nurses are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,570
2025 BLS Actual
$75,860
2026 Current Est.
$80,184
2019–2027 Growth
+61.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.3% from $52,570 (2019) to $75,860 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,185 (61.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,407 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,184 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,456 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $80,184 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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