Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Oregon: $85,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $85,992/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $83,813 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($85,411), Portland ($83,510), Bend ($83,260).
As of 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Oregon is $85,992, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, representing a difference of 26.3%. The highest paying city for LPNs is Hillsboro at $90,279, while Milwaukie offers the lowest salary at $77,332. This $12,947 difference can be attributed to various factors including cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Oregon has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that allow LPNs to perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, contributing to their value in the healthcare system. The state’s job market for LPNs shows a strong outlook with an anticipated growth rate of 5.70%, driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Key cities projected for LPN employment in 2026 also include Portland at $88,270, Bend at $88,006, Grants Pass at $87,107, and Gresham at $86,096. With a total of 4,434 licensed practical nurses employed in Oregon, the state presents a favorable environment for pursuing this career.
Oregon Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $53,643 (lowest entry-level) to $116,518 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon licensed practical nurses earn 26.33% more than the national median (+$17,921/year difference).
Oregon Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Oregon range from $67,840 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,817 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,992. The Oregon median is $17,921 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $41.34/hr. Approximately 4,434 licensed practical nurses are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,048
2025 BLS Actual
$81,355
2026 Current Est.
$85,992
2019–2027 Growth
+65.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,048 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,461 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,243 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,355 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 47.8% from $55,048 (2019) to $81,355 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,845 (65.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukie | $77,332 |
| Klamath Falls | $77,515 |
| The Dalles | $77,983 |
| Corvallis | $78,387 |
| Newberg | $78,825 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass | $87,107 | 97.76 | $89,103 |
| Hillsboro | $90,279 | 102.6 | $87,991 |
| Bend | $88,006 | 103.607 | $84,942 |
| Gresham | $86,096 | 102.6 | $83,914 |
| Portland | $88,270 | 105.421 | $83,731 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,840 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,992 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,817 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $90,279 |
| 2 | Portland | $88,270 |
| 3 | Bend | $88,006 |
| 4 | Grants Pass | $87,107 |
| 5 | Gresham | $86,096 |
| 6 | Albany | $84,148 |
| 7 | Salem | $84,137 |
| 8 | Medford | $83,672 |
| 9 | Beaverton | $83,645 |
| 10 | McMinnville | $83,417 |
| 11 | Oregon City | $83,319 |
| 12 | Woodburn | $82,764 |
| 13 | Lake Oswego | $82,366 |
| 14 | Eugene | $82,224 |
| 15 | Forest Grove | $82,150 |
| 16 | Tigard | $81,805 |
| 17 | Redmond | $81,778 |
| 18 | West Linn | $81,543 |
| 19 | Springfield | $81,162 |
| 20 | Tualatin | $80,838 |
| 21 | Pendleton | $80,831 |
| 22 | Wilsonville | $80,714 |
| 23 | Happy Valley | $80,021 |
| 24 | Hermiston | $79,799 |
| 25 | Central Point | $79,761 |
| 26 | Ashland | $79,755 |
| 27 | Keizer | $79,735 |
| 28 | Sherwood | $79,730 |
| 29 | Coos Bay | $79,597 |
| 30 | Roseburg | $79,306 |
| 31 | Canby | $79,261 |
| 32 | Newberg | $78,825 |
| 33 | Corvallis | $78,387 |
| 34 | The Dalles | $77,983 |
| 35 | Klamath Falls | $77,515 |
| 36 | Milwaukie | $77,332 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Oregon cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Oregon?
How does Oregon licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Oregon?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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