Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA make a median of $78,870 a year, or about $37.92 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $74,815 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 37.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $97K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80K | +28% | 6,450 |
| Rhode Island | $78K | +25% | 1,080 |
| Alaska | $78K | +25% | 300 |
| California | $77K | +24% | 79,610 |
| Oregon | $77K | +23% | 4,340 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +23% | 15,210 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | +20% | 2,130 |
| Arizona | $74K | +19% | 5,200 |
| Nevada | $74K | +18% | 3,210 |
| New Jersey | $71K | +14% | 15,210 |
| Maine | $71K | +14% | 850 |
| District of Columbia | $70K | +13% | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $70K | +12% | 9,510 |
| Connecticut | $69K | +11% | 8,890 |
| Delaware | $66K | +6% | 1,600 |
Track licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $78,870 a year - that works out to about $37.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,080, and experienced licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses can clear $97,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,791/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary is worth about $74,815 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.