How Much Does an LPN Make in Virginia in 2026?

A typical LPN in Virginia earns about $31.21 per hour ($64,920 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $5,410 a month or $1,248 a week. These figures cover LPNs across all settings and experience levels statewide, from hospitals to nursing homes to home health agencies.

That pay is about 1% above the national typical of $64,400 a year, putting Virginia 23rd among the 51 states and Washington, D.C. Roughly 15,550 LPNs work across Virginia, compared with 648,410 nationwide. The state's pay sits close to the national line rather than clearly above or below it.

Entry-level positions in Virginia typically offer around $24.32 an hour, or about $50,580 a year, for LPNs just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical of $31.21 an hour within the first few years on the job. New graduates often start in this range before moving into higher-paying settings or specialties.

Experienced LPNs in Virginia often earn upwards of $35.84 an hour, or about $74,540 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $38.06 an hour, or $79,170 a year. The gap between entry-level and top pay runs $28,590, a spread that tends to reflect years on the job, the care setting, and which city an LPN works in.

Virginia's typical LPN pay rose from $40,240 in 2015 to $64,920 in 2025, a gain of $24,680. That is a 61% increase over the decade, tracked through the latest government wage data. The rise was not perfectly steady; pay climbed sharply between 2022 and 2024 before leveling into the 2025 figure.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same ten years, so Virginia's climb outpaced the country as a whole. For someone starting an LPN career in Virginia now, that decade of steady gains points to pay that has moved up consistently, though past growth is no guarantee of future increases.

Pay runs highest in the Arlington metro area, where LPNs typically earn $75,860 a year, about 17% above the statewide figure. Charlottesville follows at $67,120 a year, also above the state typical. Both areas sit in Virginia's higher-cost northern and central corridors, which tends to track with higher pay.

At the other end, Bristol pays LPNs the least, with typical pay around $54,050 a year. That leaves a spread of $21,810 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas of the state. Arlington also has the largest LPN workforce in Virginia, with about 7,170 employed there. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and higher pay in places like Arlington and Washington, D.C.'s suburbs generally tracks with a higher cost of living.

Virginia's LPN pay compares favorably with most of its neighbors but trails the Washington, D.C. area. Washington, D.C. pays about 17% more, at $75,740 a year, and Maryland pays about 15% more, at $74,660. North Carolina ($63,270), Kentucky ($60,460), Tennessee ($58,870), and West Virginia ($55,360) all pay less than Virginia. LPN licensure can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, which makes it easier to compare offers across state lines.

A typical LPN in Virginia now earns about $64,920 a year, up 61% from $40,240 a decade ago. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level positions near $50,580 to top earners over $79,170. For licensing and registry requirements, check Virginia's state nursing board; for local pay details, see the pages for individual Virginia cities.