Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $60,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $60,735/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $65,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics create a diverse employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Blacksburg, Virginia, shaping salary expectations considerably. With a median annual salary projected at $60,735 for 2026, the range varies from $50,937 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $78,091 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and indicate that while the local licensed practical nurse salary in Blacksburg is lower than the national average of $68,071, the employment market remains competitive. The area's unique healthcare service structures tend to favor roles in long-term care, which are generally more lucrative than positions that focus solely on home health or clinic settings, reflecting the intricate interplay between environment and compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,937 | $24.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,157 | $25.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,735 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,100 | $33.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,091 | $37.54 |
Median Salary Position
10.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,154 (2026 est.). At $60,735, the local median is 10.78% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $60,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,888 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -10.78% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $60,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.40% below the Virginia state average of $64,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 7.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $60,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,690
2025 BLS Actual
$57,460
2026 Current Est.
$60,735
2019–2027 Growth
+54.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.8% from $41,690 (2019) to $57,460 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,507 (53.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $50,937 – $53,157 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,157 – $60,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,735 – $70,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,100 – $78,091 |
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 Blacksburg
With 360 licensed practical nurses employed in the Blacksburg area, the job market for LPNs is relatively stable. The local cost of living index stands at 92.71, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be better strapped for cash than seemingly indicated by the salary figures alone. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities often provide the highest compensation, particularly for those who qualify for additional certifications or take on specialized roles such as IV therapy. The significant differences between pay levels can stem from various factors such as work setting (with skilled nursing generally paying more than home health agencies), shift differentials, and weekend premiums. To maximize earning potential, licensed practical nurses in Blacksburg are advised to pursue certifications that enhance their skills, seek out long-term care positions, and remain flexible in their shift preferences, as these strategies can lead to higher overall compensation in this unique market.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Blacksburg?
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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 $57,460 for licensed practical nursesin the Blacksburg 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