Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $79,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $79,867/year (≈ $38.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $76,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Wenatchee, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $79,867 in 2026, which represents a notable increase compared to the national median of $68,071. This market shows a salary range from $66,348 at the 10th percentile to $99,834 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse spectrum of earning potential based on factors such as experience and work setting. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, these figures reflect the varying demand for skilled nursing professionals across different healthcare environments. In Wenatchee, the choice between working in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, or clinics potentially influences not only job responsibilities but also compensation levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,348 | $31.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,781 | $32.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,867 | $38.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,834 | $48.00 |
Median Salary Position
17.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,486 (2026 est.). At $79,867, the local median is 17.33% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wenatchee Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $79,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,456 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +17.33% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $79,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.33% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.30% below the Washington state average of $83,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,867 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,902 — a 3.71% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,330
2025 BLS Actual
$75,560
2026 Current Est.
$79,867
2019–2027 Growth
+61.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.4% from $52,330 (2019) to $75,560 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,089 (61.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $66,348 – $66,781 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,781 – $79,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,867 – $91,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,980 – $99,834 |
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 Wenatchee
Wenatchee's job market for licensed practical nurses is relatively robust, with approximately 90 LPNs employed locally. The cost of living index stands at 103.855, indicating a higher-than-average living expense that can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for nurses in the area. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, closely followed by hospitals, particularly those that may need LPNs for specialized roles. The distinctions in hourly wages arise from factors such as shift differentials, certifications for procedures like IV therapy, and incentives for weekend or holiday shifts. For those aiming to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Wenatchee, focusing on skilled nursing settings or pursuing additional qualifications would be strategic moves, considering that long-term care is likely to remain a significant employer for this profession.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Wenatchee?
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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 $75,560 for licensed practical nursesin the Wenatchee 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