Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Virginia: $66,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,879/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,805 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($75,220), Charlottesville ($67,120), Norfolk ($65,330).
In Virginia, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect an average median salary of $66,879 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of -1.8%. The salary range within the state varies significantly, with the highest-paying city, Alexandria, offering $79,508, while Bristol reports the lowest at $58,445, showcasing a $21,063 gap. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the local economy. Virginia's LPNs must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and practice laws, which dictate their scope of work. Demand for LPNs in various healthcare settings is anticipated to grow, contributing to a projected annual CAGR of 5.70% in the job market. The top cities for LPN salaries in 2026 include Charlottesville at $70,946, Norfolk at $69,054, Staunton at $68,367, and Chesapeake at $68,303, indicating a concentration of opportunities in metropolitan areas. As the healthcare landscape evolves, LPNs in Virginia will continue to play a vital role, making this a promising career choice for those entering the field.
Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $47,610 (lowest entry-level) to $105,665 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia licensed practical nurses earn 1.75% less than the national median ($-1,192/year difference).
Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Virginia range from $54,925 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,523 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,879. The Virginia median is $1,192 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.15/hr. Approximately 9,550 licensed practical nurses are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,495
2025 BLS Actual
$63,272
2026 Current Est.
$66,879
2019–2027 Growth
+58.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,495 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,325 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,926 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.2% from $44,495 (2019) to $63,272 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,196 (58.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $58,445 |
| Falls Church | $59,812 |
| Blacksburg | $60,735 |
| Herndon | $60,764 |
| Williamsburg | $61,428 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $79,508 | 103.2 | $77,043 |
| Staunton | $68,367 | 91.128 | $75,023 |
| Lynchburg | $64,868 | 89.363 | $72,589 |
| Charlottesville | $70,946 | 99.146 | $71,557 |
| Virginia Beach | $68,039 | 97.941 | $69,469 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,925 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,879 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,523 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $79,508 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $70,946 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $69,054 |
| 4 | Staunton | $68,367 |
| 5 | Chesapeake | $68,303 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $68,039 |
| 7 | Richmond | $67,680 |
| 8 | Newport News | $65,372 |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $64,868 |
| 10 | Hampton | $64,796 |
| 11 | Roanoke | $64,699 |
| 12 | Centreville | $64,494 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $64,297 |
| 14 | Burke | $64,057 |
| 15 | Suffolk | $63,780 |
| 16 | Tuckahoe | $63,599 |
| 17 | Winchester | $63,515 |
| 18 | Ashburn | $63,508 |
| 19 | McLean | $63,504 |
| 20 | Reston | $63,436 |
| 21 | Danville | $63,423 |
| 22 | Fredericksburg | $63,152 |
| 23 | Dale City | $63,138 |
| 24 | Manassas | $63,070 |
| 25 | Salem | $62,895 |
| 26 | Leesburg | $62,804 |
| 27 | Portsmouth | $62,768 |
| 28 | Mechanicsville | $62,667 |
| 29 | Springfield | $62,447 |
| 30 | Woodbridge | $62,361 |
| 31 | Sterling | $62,240 |
| 32 | Lake Ridge | $62,159 |
| 33 | Linton Hall | $62,089 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $61,930 |
| 35 | Radford | $61,796 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $61,627 |
| 37 | Annandale | $61,545 |
| 38 | Williamsburg | $61,428 |
| 39 | Herndon | $60,764 |
| 40 | Blacksburg | $60,735 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $59,812 |
| 42 | Bristol | $58,445 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Virginia?
How does Virginia licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Virginia?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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