Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Portland, OR: $88,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Portland, OR earns a median $88,270/year (≈ $42.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $83,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Oregon, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can anticipate a median annual salary of $88,270 in 2026, which significantly exceeds the national average of $68,071. This competitive compensation reflects the increased responsibilities associated with Oregon's LPN scope of practice, including IV therapy and patient assessment, which can drive higher salary expectations. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies widely, starting at $68,768 at the lower end (P10) and reaching up to $108,638 at the upper percentiles (P90). These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, illustrate a robust job market for LPNs in Portland, especially given the ongoing demand for skilled nursing services in various healthcare settings across the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,768 | $33.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,685 | $39.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,270 | $42.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,396 | $47.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,638 | $52.23 |
Median Salary Position
29.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,870 (2026 est.). At $88,270, the local median is 29.67% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Portland median: $88,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $84,147 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +29.67% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Portland, OR earn a median of $88,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.67% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.90% above the Oregon state average of $84,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,270 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,731 — a 5.14% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,580
2025 BLS Actual
$83,510
2026 Current Est.
$88,270
2019–2027 Growth
+67.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,301 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 50.3% from $55,580 (2019) to $83,510 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,721 (67.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,768 – $81,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,685 – $88,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,270 – $98,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,396 – $108,638 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Portland
The local job market strength is evident, with around 2,250 licensed practical nurses employed across Portland, OR. However, the cost of living index in Portland registers slightly above the national average at 105.421, which impacts overall purchasing power for LPNs. Within the varied employment landscape, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by home health agencies and select hospitals, whereas physician offices and assisted living communities may provide lower compensation. The notable variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as work setting, shift differentials, and any certifications like IV therapy, which may attract additional stipends. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential in the local market, pursuing positions in long-term care or equipping themselves with specialized skills may be strategic paths to consider.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Portland?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,510 for licensed practical nursesin the Portland metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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