LPN Salary

Burien vs Kennewick: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Burien, WA and Kennewick, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burien, WA
$83,062
$39.93/hr
Kennewick, WA
$84,169
$40.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurien, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$83,062$84,169
Hourly Rate$39.93$40.46
Entry Level (P10)$66,073$64,699
25th Percentile$76,915$68,050
75th Percentile$100,299$96,832
Top Earner (P90)$110,737$101,366
Total Employed8240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burien ($83,062) and Kennewick ($84,169) licensed practical nurse salaries.BurienKennewickMedian Salary$83,062$84,169Entry Level (P10)$66,073$64,699Top Earner (P90)$110,737$101,366US Median $68,071

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burien.

The salary gap between Burien and Kennewick is $1,107 (1.33%). Kennewick's median is +23.65% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burien spans $44,664,Kennewick spans $36,667. Burien has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burien
P10 (Entry)$66,073
P25$76,915
Median$83,062
P75$100,299
P90 (Top)$110,737
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$64,699
P25$68,050
Median$84,169
P75$96,832
P90 (Top)$101,366

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($84,103 effective) pays 8.75% more than Burien ($77,339 effective).

Burien
Nominal: $83,062
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $77,339
Kennewick
Nominal: $84,169
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $84,103

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burien if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,737)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,169/year)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,103)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Burien grew 2.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Burien, WA

+2.1%

$76,968 (2024) → $78,583 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+38.8%

$57,360 (2019) → $79,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Burien or Kennewick?

Kennewick has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $84,169/year, compared to Burien at $83,062/year — a difference of $1,107 (1.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burien and Kennewick?

Burien licensed practical nurses earn $39.93/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $40.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burien to Kennewick as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burien and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burien = $77,339, Kennewick = $84,103), job availability (8 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Burien vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $66,073 in Burien and $64,699 in Kennewick. The Burien area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov