Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lakewood, WA: $82,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lakewood, WA earns a median $82,453/year (≈ $39.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $76,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Lakewood, WA, is projected to reach a median of $82,453, which reflects a significant 21.13% increase compared to the national median of $68,071. With salaries ranging from $60,428 at the 10th percentile to $108,710 at the 90th percentile, LPNs in this region benefit from competitive compensation. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums can significantly enhance overall earnings, particularly within long-term care settings, creating an attractive job market for licensed practical nurses in Lakewood.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,428 | $29.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,427 | $37.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,453 | $39.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,836 | $47.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,710 | $52.27 |
Median Salary Position
21.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,282 (2026 est.). At $82,453, the local median is 21.13% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $82,453/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,455 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +21.13% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $82,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.13% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $83,455.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,453 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,772 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,512
2025 BLS Actual
$78,007
2026 Current Est.
$82,453
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,135 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,227 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,007 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,153 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $57,512 (2019) to $78,007 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,153 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,641 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $60,428 – $77,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,427 – $82,453 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,453 – $98,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,836 – $108,710 |
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 Lakewood
Examining the local job market, only 14 licensed practical nurses are currently employed in Lakewood, reflecting a compact yet potentially stable environment. The cost-of-living index for the area is 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are above national averages, higher living costs may impact take-home purchasing power. Among prominent employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, followed closely by hospice and home health agencies, with physician offices generally providing the lowest pay. Variability in LPN pay can largely be attributed to the job setting, with skilled nursing environments often providing robust shift differentials and additional stipends for certifications like IV therapy. To maximize pay in this market, LPNs should actively pursue certifications, seek positions in higher-paying healthcare settings, and consider the effects of taking on weekend or holiday shifts to enhance compensation structures.
More salary data for Lakewood, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $78,007 for licensed practical nursesin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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