Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Roanoke, VA: $64,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Roanoke, VA earns a median $64,699/year (≈ $31.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,110 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Roanoke, VA, is projected at $64,699, slightly below the national median of $68,071. This compensation figure reflects a salary range from $53,949 at the 10th percentile to $76,664 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. In addition to the base salaries, factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums contribute significantly to effective long-term care compensation. These additional pay structures are particularly prevalent in Roanoke's healthcare facilities, essential for attracting skilled professionals in such a competitive field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,949 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,648 | $30.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,699 | $31.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,802 | $34.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,664 | $36.86 |
Median Salary Position
4.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,715 (2026 est.). At $64,699, the local median is 4.95% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $64,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,894 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.95% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $64,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.95% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.30% below the Virginia state average of $64,894.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,699 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,110 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,540
2025 BLS Actual
$61,210
2026 Current Est.
$64,699
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.4% from $44,540 (2019) to $61,210 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,847 (53.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $53,949 – $62,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,648 – $64,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,699 – $71,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,802 – $76,664 |
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 Roanoke
With around 950 licensed practical nurses employed in the Roanoke area, the job market demonstrates a steady demand for these professionals. Cost-of-living considerations are favorable, given that the index stands at 93.618, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further than in higher-cost areas. The highest-paying employers are typically skilled nursing facilities and some hospital markets, where specialized skills like IV therapy and charge LPN roles come with additional stipends. The wage differentiation often hinges on the work setting; skilled nursing positions generally offer higher compensation compared to home health agencies and physician offices. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Roanoke, pursuing certifications that align with facility needs and being flexible with shifts can enhance their pay prospects significantly.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $61,210 for licensed practical nursesin the Roanoke 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