Licensed Practical Nurse.
Seattle.
$65,000
median salary, 27% above the national average
$53,000 to $78,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Licensed Practical Nurse offer in Seattle, WA, here is the reality: $53,000 to $78,000, with $65,000 as the midpoint. 27% above the national average. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $59,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$42,000
to $52,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$55,000
to $68,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$72,000
to $85,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$81,000
to $101,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $17,000 to the total package.
Base
$65,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $82,000
How Seattle compares
Seattle, WA
$65,000
Cost of living: 24% above average
National Average
$51,000
Seattle is $14,000 above
Licensed Practical Nurse salary by city
Salary by role in Seattle
What you should know
The Licensed Practical Nurse landscape in Seattle is not what most salary sites will tell you. Seattle is home to Amazon, Microsoft, and a dense cluster of cloud computing, gaming, and AI companies. The presence of major tech headquarters drives some of the highest engineering salaries outside the Bay Area. Seattle's job market is particularly strong for cloud infrastructure, machine learning, and enterprise software roles. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. States with nurse licensure compacts offer more flexibility and often higher pay for travel assignments. Shift differentials for evenings and weekends and IV therapy certification also contribute to higher earnings.
New LPNs start at $40,000 to $45,000 in most settings. With five years of experience and specialty skills, pay reaches $52,000 to $60,000. Charge LPNs or unit supervisors can earn $62,000 to $72,000, and many LPNs use the role as a bridge to RN licensure. In Seattle, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 24% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. LPNs receive standard healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and retirement contributions. Overtime is common and can add $5,000 to $10,000 annually. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 in high-demand areas. And on the tax side: washington State has no personal income tax, which significantly boosts take home pay. However, state and local sales taxes are among the highest in the country at roughly 10.25%. When someone quotes you $65,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Remind employers that no state income tax makes your effective compensation higher. You can accept a slightly lower gross salary and still take home more than in California. The range for Licensed Practical Nurses in Seattle runs from $53,000 to $78,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A IT Support Specialist in Seattle earns $66,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Seattle is Chief AI Officer at $377,000
Common questions.
Licensed Practical Nurse salary in other cities
Other salaries in Seattle
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