Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Vancouver, WA: $88,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Vancouver, WA earns a median $88,839/year (≈ $42.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Vancouver's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $82,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vancouver, Washington, the licensed practical nurse salary in Vancouver reflects a robust compensation framework influenced by the state's diverse scope-of-practice regulations, which allow LPNs to perform IV therapy and patient assessments. For 2026, the median annual salary is projected to reach $88,839, significantly above the national median of $68,071, illustrating a competitive market for licensed practical nurses. LPN salaries in the region range from $65,001 at the 10th percentile to $120,995 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial disparity in potential earnings. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal that Vancouver's job market offers a promising landscape for those in practical nursing, especially as demand for healthcare services continues to grow.
About the Vancouver Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,001 | $31.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,563 | $39.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,839 | $42.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,453 | $52.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,995 | $58.17 |
Median Salary Position
30.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vancouver
In Vancouver, WA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,994 (2026 est.). At $88,839, the local median is 30.51% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vancouver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vancouver Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Vancouver median: $88,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vancouver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,417 | +6.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +30.51% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Vancouver, WA earn a median of $88,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.51% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 6.50% above the Washington state average of $83,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vancouver has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vancouver, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,839 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,718 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,966
2025 BLS Actual
$84,048
2026 Current Est.
$88,839
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Vancouver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,953 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,604 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,048 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vancouver metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $61,966 (2019) to $84,048 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,937 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vancouver 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) | $65,001 – $81,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,563 – $88,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,839 – $108,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,453 – $120,995 |
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 Vancouver
With only 37 licensed practical nurses employed in Vancouver, the local job market remains relatively small but stable, which can be challenging given the cost-of-living index of 107.4. Despite this higher cost of living, opportunities for strong earnings exist, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care, where LPNs are typically compensated at higher rates than in home health or physician's offices. Pay disparities within the profession often correlate with work settings and additional qualifications, such as IV therapy certifications that may command stipends. To maximize licensed practical nurse pay in Vancouver WA, candidates should consider pursuing shifts in long-term care or obtaining weekend and holiday premiums, while also looking into roles that may offer charge LPN pay or certification bonuses. This strategic approach can enhance overall compensation and improve take-home purchasing power despite the local cost challenges.
More salary data for Vancouver, 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 $84,048 for licensed practical nursesin the Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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