Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lacey, WA: $85,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lacey, WA earns a median $85,282/year (≈ $41.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $79,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, WA, the compensation for licensed practical nurses is projected to be quite robust in 2026, with a median annual salary estimated at $85,282. Positions in this role range from $68,385 at the 10th percentile to as high as $114,269 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse salary landscape that accommodates various levels of experience and specialization. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors. This level of pay is especially noteworthy when compared to the national median salary of $68,071, positioning Lacey’s licensed practical nurse salary significantly above the national average, indicating a strong demand and competitive job market in the area.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,385 | $32.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,445 | $38.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,282 | $41.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,402 | $47.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,269 | $54.93 |
Median Salary Position
25.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,884 (2026 est.). At $85,282, the local median is 25.28% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lacey median: $85,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,446 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +25.28% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lacey, WA earn a median of $85,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.28% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.20% above the Washington state average of $83,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,282 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,406 — a 6.89% 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
$59,485
2025 BLS Actual
$80,683
2026 Current Est.
$85,282
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,683 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $59,485 (2019) to $80,683 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,658 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $68,385 – $79,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,445 – $85,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,282 – $98,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,402 – $114,269 |
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 Lacey
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Lacey is relatively stable, with approximately 12 LPNs currently employed in the area. While the cost-of-living index sits at 107.4, indicating residents face expenses higher than the national average, this does not overshadow the competitive salaries available within various healthcare settings. Skilled nursing facilities often lead in pay, with home health agencies and physician offices typically offering lower compensation. The wage disparity largely arises from factors such as shift differentials, certification stipends for IV therapy, and additional pay for weekend or holiday shifts prevalent in long-term care environments. LPNs looking to maximize earnings might consider pursuing specialized certifications or seeking roles at facilities known for better compensation structures, thus enhancing their take-home pay and ensuring a more comfortable living against the backdrop of Lacey’s elevated cost of living.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Lacey, WA in 2026?
Is Lacey, WA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Lacey?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Lacey?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Lacey?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $80,683 for licensed practical nursesin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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