Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Olympia, WA: $85,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Olympia, WA earns a median $85,987/year (≈ $41.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.7), that paycheck buys what $82,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Olympia, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $85,987, significantly higher than the national figure of $68,071. The local salary range for LPNs spans from $67,141 at the 10th percentile to $104,432 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse employment settings and specializations available in the region. This compensation information is derived from reliable Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and projected estimates, highlighting how Olympia’s LPNs benefit from Washington's favorable scope-of-practice rules, including advanced responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessment, which can positively influence salary levels. The strong employment landscape for LPNs in Olympia sets an optimistic tone for prospective nursing professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,141 | $32.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,501 | $38.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,987 | $41.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,531 | $48.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,432 | $50.21 |
Median Salary Position
26.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,291 (2026 est.). At $85,987, the local median is 26.32% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be above the median
How Olympia Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Olympia median: $85,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,482 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +26.32% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Olympia, WA earn a median of $85,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.32% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% above the Washington state average of $83,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 3.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,987 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,943 — a 3.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,490
2025 BLS Actual
$81,350
2026 Current Est.
$85,987
2019–2027 Growth
+58.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.5% from $57,490 (2019) to $81,350 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,398 (58.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $67,141 – $80,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,501 – $85,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,987 – $100,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,531 – $104,432 |
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 Olympia
Currently, there are around 330 licensed practical nurses employed in Olympia, illustrating a robust job market that supports LPN roles primarily in long-term care facilities, which tend to offer the highest salaries. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67, Olympia presents a slightly elevated living expense compared to the national average, impacting the take-home pay of LPNs in the region. The highest-paying employers tend to be skilled nursing facilities and some hospitals, while home health agencies and physician offices generally offer lower compensation. The pay disparity among settings is often driven by intrinsic factors such as certification stipends for IV therapy, shift differentials, and weekend or holiday premiums, particularly in long-term care. For nurses aiming to maximize their earnings in Olympia, seeking positions in skilled nursing or long-term care settings, pursuing additional certifications, and being open to shifts with extra pay incentives are advisable strategies for optimizing licensed practical nurse pay in Olympia WA.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
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 $81,350 for licensed practical nursesin the Olympia 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