This resource is for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and prospective LPNs who want to learn all there is to know about licensed practical nurse income in Oregon: why it varies, how it varies, where it varies, how to earn more, and how to find LPN jobs in OR. That's a lot of information to process, but it's an excellent step to solidifying your plans for your nursing career. Let's dive in.
This resource provides publicly available information about average LPN salaries in Oregon. While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in Oregon the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Oregon?
A nurse's mean wage varies based on a variety of factors, including the setting in which they work and the metropolitan area.
LPNs will generally earn less than other nursing licenses simply because the formal program and training are shorter, which means their scope of practice has more limitations. It's also important to note that specialization options for LPNs are few. However, bridge programs for LPNs to transition to RNs acknowledge the practical learning and skills LPNs have gained through their work experience and offer an abbreviated program to gain RN licensure. Furthermore, the average nurse pay in Oregon for all levels of licensure is higher than their corresponding national averages. LPNs in Oregon also work alongside registered nurses (RNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other healthcare professionals.
What's the Average LPN Salary in the State of Oregon?
The average LPN mean wage in Oregon per hour is $31.82 and $66,190 per year—significantly higher than the national averages of $26.86 per hour and $55,860 per year. The LPN wage per hour and year averages also compare well to other healthcare positions with similar levels of training, as demonstrated in the following table.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_or.htm#29-0000 (Most recent data as of September 2023)
How Much Do LPNs Make in Oregon?
As previously mentioned, location is one of the factors that impact compensation. LPNs in Oregon benefit from the state's wages that vastly outperform other states and the overall national averages.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_or.htm#29-0000 (Most recent data as of September 2023)
What Do the LPN Salary Percentiles Mean?
Percentiles are helpful because they offer the opportunity to see the full range of salaries for licensed practical nurses and make some reasonable speculations. For example, the hourly wage estimates can be explained as follows:
- 10 percent of LPNs earn $25.28 or less, while 90 percent earn more.
- 25 percent of LPNs earn $29.22 or less, while 75 percent earn more.
- 50 percent of LPNs earn less than $31.24, and 50 percent earn more.
- 75 percent of LPNs earn $34.98 or less, while 25 percent earn more.
- 90 percent of LPNs earn $36.82 or less, while 10 percent earn more.
Read up on Living and Working in Oregon
Highest-Paying Cities for LPNs
Knowing how much you can earn in Oregon may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. While Oregon is one of the highest-paying states in the country, not all cities or regions pay the same. This table examines the wage estimates by location (both hourly and annually) and further compares them to the location's calculated living wage as well.
Data sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_or.htm#29-0000 and Dr. Amy K. Glasmeier and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/41/locations (Most recent data as of September 2023)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Most recent data as of September 2023)
According to the table, the LPN pay in Portland, Oregon, is the highest. Nevertheless, the names of the locations only specify some of the cities or towns in the state. We've put together a list of some of the highest-paying cities and towns that didn't appear in the table as follows:
- Gresham
- Milwaukie
- Lake Oswego
- Newberg
- McMinnville
- Scappoose
- Beaverton
- Forest Grove
- Oregon City
- Canby
- West Linn
- Tigard
How Can I Become an LPN in Oregon?
There are around 3,500 licensed practical nurses in the entire state. With a location quotient of just 0.44, the concentration of LPNs in Oregon is decidedly lower than the national average (1.0). If you're not an LPN yet but are ready to start a rewarding career, you'll first need to complete a practical nurse program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). The OSBN maintains a list of approved LPN programs in Oregon and provides information about LPN programs from outside the state. Once you've completed an approved program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become certified and put your skills and knowledge to work.
How Can I Earn More as an LPN in Oregon?
Earning more is easy when you turn to per diem LPN jobs in Oregon by using Nursa. Picking up per diem shifts isn't a typical staff job. It's contract work, which means the facilities save themselves the hiring time and financial investment that accompanies new staff hires. Those savings allow facilities to motivate LPNs in their communities by offering the shifts at higher than usual pay rates. Those higher rates and flexibility to decide when and where you work make per diem shifts a boon. You can work shifts as a side job, augmenting your other job's wages. Alternatively, you can switch to picking up shifts as your full-time gig. Either way, you'll earn more.
How Can I Find LPN Jobs near Me in Oregon?
Finding per diem LPN jobs in Portland, Salem, or other cities in Oregon is easy with Nursa. Nursa, the open healthcare marketplace, creates connections between nurses looking for shifts and facilities who need them. Create your professional profile, verify your license, and browse shifts at facilities near you. Adjust your filters depending on how far you are willing to drive, carefully review the post's position requirements to be sure you meet the criteria, and apply for the shift. Schedule your shifts as you see fit: Nursa is free to use and does not impose quotas or limitations on how often you work. This is your career, and the decisions are yours.
