Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Virginia provide essential care to their patients, generally under the supervision of a physician or a registered nurse (RN). The following table compares average wages across Virginia, starting with the highest-paying areas and including some cities in each larger statistical area.
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average LPN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Virginia (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in Virginia 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 Virginia?
A nurse’s hourly pay is highly variable; some common factors that cause earnings to vary are the following:
- Setting: LPNs earn differently depending on their work setting: hospital, hospice, nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.
- Location: Average LPN earnings will vary depending on the city or town they choose to work in and the cost of living in that location.
- Type of job: LPNs typically earn higher hourly wages when working per diem shifts.
All these factors influence the hourly pay for LPNs, so factoring in these considerations can help nurses find better options and improve their overall licensed practical nurse pay in Virginia.
What’s the Average LPN Salary in the State of Virginia?
Virginia's LPN annual mean wage is $52,790. The LPN annual mean wage in the United States is $55,860. Nevertheless, as explained above, LPN wages vary significantly depending on different factors.
To better understand what an LPN’s wage might be in Virginia and how it compares to the national average, we prepared a table that presents detailed information on LPN wages in Virginia per hour and year broken down into percentiles.
What is the meaning of these percentiles? The BLS explains that a percentile represents the percentage of workers who earn below a specific wage. For example, 50 percent of LPNs in Virginia typically earn more than $51,150, and 50 percent earn less; 10 percent of LPNs earn less than $39,640, and 90 percent earn more.
Highest-Paying Cities in Virginia for Nurses
The Washington County-Arlington-Alexandria area, Charlottesville, and Richmond have higher average earnings than the average hourly pay for Virginia. Still, it is also important to remember that the cost of living might be higher in these locations.
What Is the Cost of Living in Virginia?
The cost of living translates to the hourly wage required—working full-time—to cover basic expenses in a given location. The living hourly wage adjusted to Virginia is as follows:
- One single adult with no kids: $19.04
- One adult with one child: $38.12
- Two adults with no kids (one adult working): $28.74
- Two adults with one child and only one adult working: $35.62
These cost of living considerations might help LPNs put their income in perspective.
LPN Employment and Location Quotient in Virginia
The employment per 1,000 jobs indicates the number of jobs in the given occupation in Virginia.
The location quotient shows whether the concentration of a profession is lower or higher than in the rest of the country. A location quotient higher than one—1.12 in the case of Virginia—shows that LPN employment in Virginia is higher than in the rest of the country.
In the following table, we show the employment and location quotient calculations for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs in Virginia:
What’s the Difference between an LPN and an RN?
An important difference between an LPN and an RN is the length of their educational programs. RNs generally have an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing that allows them, for example, to make treatment plans. LPNs, on the other hand, complete a shorter nursing program and are responsible for carrying out the treatment plans that RNs create, so the care LPNs provide is more practical. LPNs often work under the supervision of RNs or other medical staff. However, the care they provide is of utmost importance and makes a difference in the quality of care patients receive.
Some roles and responsibilities of an RN include supervising LPNs and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), educating patients about their illnesses and diagnoses, conducting physical exams, administering medications, starting IVs, and collaborating with the medical staff to coordinate treatments for each patient.
On the other hand, LPN roles and responsibilities typically include assisting patients with mobility and other daily activities, taking vital signs, and generally performing duties that do not require as much autonomy in decision-making as the responsibilities of registered nurses.
How Can I Become an LPN in Virginia?
Aspiring LPNs generally must complete a state-approved practical nursing program through one of Virginia’s many nursing schools.
The Virginia Board of Nursing oversees the licenses for all nursing professionals. To apply for licensure, aspiring LPNs must fulfill the following requirements:
- Have a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
With certain considerations, aspiring LPNs who fulfill these requirements can apply for a practical nursing license and start working in Virginia.
How Can I Find PRN LPN Independent Contractor Jobs?
Knowing how much you can earn in Virginia may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment.
Licensed practical nurses can find LPN jobs in Virginia with Nursa. Here are some settings where LPNs can find per diem jobs:
- Hospitals: LPN hospital jobs are essential as practical nurses provide many essential services to patients and help the rest of the medical team carry out treatment plans.
- Nursing homes and residential facilities: LPNs are in high demand in nursing homes as the population grows older.
- Physicians’ offices: LPNs can work under the supervision of physicians in their private practices, enjoying the possibility of more stability in their timetables.
- Home healthcare settings: More and more LPNs find home healthcare a popular option.
LPNs can use Nursa to connect with PRN jobs in different settings throughout Virginia. One significant advantage of using Nursa is the possibility of moving from one place to another and finding per diem jobs.
When choosing LPN jobs, remember that per diem shifts generally have better hourly rates, so pick up PRN or per diem jobs to earn more as an LPN in Virginia.
