Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Salem, OR: $84,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Salem, OR earns a median $84,137/year (≈ $40.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $81,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Salem is projected to sit at a median of $84,137 annually. This figure showcases a robust local market compared to the national median of $68,071, reflecting a premium of over 23.60%. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $69,149 at the 10th percentile to $100,806 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from detailed analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they highlight the financial opportunities available for effective long-term care professionals. In Salem, effective compensation strategies are often driven by factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums that incentivize various scheduling arrangements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,149 | $33.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,950 | $34.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,137 | $40.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,298 | $41.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,806 | $48.46 |
Median Salary Position
23.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,657 (2026 est.). At $84,137, the local median is 23.6% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Salem median: $84,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | +23.60% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Salem, OR earn a median of $84,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.60% higher than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,137 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,175 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,370
2025 BLS Actual
$79,600
2026 Current Est.
$84,137
2019–2027 Growth
+60.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,933 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.8% from $55,370 (2019) to $79,600 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,933 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,563 (60.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $69,149 – $71,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,950 – $84,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,137 – $87,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,298 – $100,806 |
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 Salem
Currently, Salem employs about 660 licensed practical nurses, which indicates a steady demand for skilled professionals in the field. The cost of living index at 103.649 suggests that while salaries are competitive, practical nurses may face higher living expenses relative to the national average. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay, especially for LPNs engaged in long-term care, as these settings often provide robust shift differentials and holiday premiums. Factors such as experience, certification in IV therapy, and roles with additional responsibilities can widen the pay gap, making certain positions more lucrative. To maximize earnings within this market, licensed practical nurses should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in high-paying sectors, and negotiating for shift differentials whenever possible.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
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
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 $79,600 for licensed practical nursesin the Salem 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