Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Staunton, VA: $68,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Staunton, VA earns a median $68,367/year (≈ $32.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $75,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Staunton, Virginia, licensed practical nurses earn a median annual salary of $68,367 as of 2026, slightly above the national median of $68,071. The full salary range extends from $54,478 at the 10th percentile to $83,683 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential based on experience and work setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the local demand for skilled nursing professionals across various environments. As Staunton's healthcare landscape evolves, with opportunities in skilled nursing facilities and home health care, the pay structures vary, indicating potential for growth in this occupational field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,478 | $26.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,908 | $29.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,367 | $32.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,685 | $36.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,683 | $40.23 |
Median Salary Position
0.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,205 (2026 est.). At $68,367, the local median is 0.43% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Staunton median: $68,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,864 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.43% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Staunton, VA earn a median of $68,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.43% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.40% above the Virginia state average of $64,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,367 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,023 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,820
2025 BLS Actual
$64,680
2026 Current Est.
$68,367
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 47.6% from $43,820 (2019) to $64,680 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,444 (64.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $54,478 – $61,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,908 – $68,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,367 – $76,685 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,685 – $83,683 |
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 Staunton
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Staunton is robust, with around 270 employed in the region. Cost of living plays a crucial role in determining take-home pay, especially with a CoL index of 91.128, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they must also stretch further in daily living expenses. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by hospitals and correctional facilities, while home health agencies and physician offices may provide lower salaries. Factors such as shift differentials, mandatory IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend premiums impact salary variations significantly. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Staunton VA, pursuing certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering positions in long-term care can enhance earning potential while navigating the state's unique scope of practice regulations.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 $64,680 for licensed practical nursesin the Staunton 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