Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $81,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Virginia Beach, VA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $81,727/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Virginia Beach's price premium (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $83,445 in average-cost America. The 20% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the earnings of seasoned licensed practical nurses reflect the significant experience premium associated with senior-level roles. With a median annual salary projected at $68,039 in 2026, the top-tier pay can reach as high as $81,727, highlighting the lucrative potential for those with extensive experience. This range underscores a notable gap; while the median salary provides a solid foundation, the top licensed practical nurse salary in Virginia Beach illustrates the rewards of advancing one's career through specializations and additional responsibilities. Achieving this top-tier pay requires not only years of dedication but also strategic career moves, such as acquiring advanced certifications or taking on leadership roles within healthcare settings.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Virginia Beach earn between $76,833 and $81,727 per year (2026 est.). This $27,577 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Virginia Beach median of $68,039 sits 0.05% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Virginia Beach | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $68,039 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,833 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $81,727 | $88,196 |
In Virginia Beach, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 20.12% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Virginia Beach
Advanced Certifications in Virginia
VA licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $68,039 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Virginia Beach employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Virginia Beach command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,833–$81,727 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Virginia Beach metro area, which is a large LPN employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Virginia Beach with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Virginia Beach
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedVirginia Beach ranks #15 of 42 Virginia cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $81,727).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Virginia Beach ($81,727) is 0.25% above the Virginia average P90 ($81,523).
2019 BLS Actual
$52,940
2025 BLS Actual
$77,320
2026 Current Est.
$81,727
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,386 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Virginia Beach saw their compensation grow 46.1% from $52,940 in 2019 to $77,320 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $86,386 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Virginia Beach
Compensation for experienced licensed practical nurses varies significantly based on specializations and employer types in Virginia Beach. Positions in long-term care, like skilled nursing facilities, often command higher wages due to the complexities involved, particularly when providing care for patients with chronic conditions. Specialized skills, such as IV therapy certification and wound care expertise, can notably enhance earning potential. While skilled nursing facilities tend to offer competitive salaries, differences also exist across other employers like home health agencies and hospitals, which may have more restrictive staffing models. Leadership opportunities, such as transition into roles like charge LPN or nursing supervisor, further elevate salary prospects. Moreover, pursuing an LPN-to-RN bridge can offer pathways to even higher income brackets. Factors beyond salary, such as shift differentials, weekend premiums, and stipends for additional certifications, play vital roles in total compensation, making specialized experience particularly rewarding in Virginia’s evolving healthcare system.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Virginia Beach in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Virginia Beach?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Virginia Beach?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Virginia Beach?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Virginia Beach?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Virginia
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $77,320 for licensed practical nurses in the Virginia Beach metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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