Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sterling, VA: $62,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sterling, VA earns a median $62,240/year (≈ $29.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sterling's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $60,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Sterling, Virginia, is projected to be around $62,240, which reflects a competitive but somewhat lower scale compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies significantly, with earnings from $50,983 to $78,527. These figures, informed by 2025 BLS data, indicate the broader market potential for LPNs in different settings, such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. This disparity often arises from different care delivery models, whereby skilled nursing roles typically offer higher compensation than those in home health or outpatient clinic environments.
About the Sterling Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,983 | $24.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,287 | $27.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,826 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,527 | $37.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sterling
In Sterling, VA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,544 (2026 est.). At $62,240, the local median is 8.57% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sterling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sterling Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sterling median: $62,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sterling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,901 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -8.57% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sterling, VA earn a median of $62,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.57% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $64,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sterling has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sterling, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,240 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,310 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$43,413
2025 BLS Actual
$58,884
2026 Current Est.
$62,240
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,614 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sterling metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $43,413 (2019) to $58,884 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,375 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sterling 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) | $50,983 – $57,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,287 – $62,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,240 – $72,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,826 – $78,527 |
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 Sterling
Currently, Sterling has seven licensed practical nurses employed, indicating a relatively limited local job market for this profession. The cost of living index is at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for LPNs in the area. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally provide the most lucrative positions for practical nurses, while home health agencies and physician offices tend to pay less. Factors such as shift differentials, specialty certifications in IV therapy, and weekend or holiday pay can create pay fluctuations within the profession. For those seeking to maximize their compensation in Sterling, pursuing additional certifications and targeting employment in long-term care settings could significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Sterling, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Sterling, VA in 2026?
Is Sterling, VA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Sterling?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Sterling?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Sterling?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $58,884 for licensed practical nursesin the Sterling 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
Salary data for Sterling is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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