LPN Salary

Keizer vs Portland: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Keizer, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Keizer, OR
$79,735
$38.34/hr
Portland, OR
$88,270
$42.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKeizer, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$79,735$88,270
Hourly Rate$38.34$42.44
Entry Level (P10)$64,042$68,768
25th Percentile$72,199$81,685
75th Percentile$92,142$98,396
Top Earner (P90)$98,706$108,638
Total Employed92,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Keizer ($79,735) and Portland ($88,270) licensed practical nurse salaries.KeizerPortlandMedian Salary$79,735$88,270Entry Level (P10)$64,042$68,768Top Earner (P90)$98,706$108,638US Median $68,071

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Keizer.

The salary gap between Keizer and Portland is $8,535 (10.70%). Portland's median is +29.67% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Keizer spans $34,664,Portland spans $39,870. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Keizer
P10 (Entry)$64,042
P25$72,199
Median$79,735
P75$92,142
P90 (Top)$98,706
Portland
P10 (Entry)$68,768
P25$81,685
Median$88,270
P75$98,396
P90 (Top)$108,638

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($83,731 effective) pays 7.74% more than Keizer ($77,714 effective).

Keizer
Nominal: $79,735
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $77,714
Portland
Nominal: $88,270
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $83,731

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Keizer if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,270/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,638)
  • Larger job market (2,250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,731)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Keizer grew 14.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.3% growth in Portland over the same period.

Keizer, OR

+14.1%

$66,113 (2024) → $75,435 (2025)

Portland, OR

+50.3%

$55,580 (2019) → $83,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Keizer or Portland?

Portland has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $88,270/year, compared to Keizer at $79,735/year — a difference of $8,535 (10.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Keizer and Portland?

Keizer licensed practical nurses earn $38.34/hr while Portland hygienists earn $42.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Keizer to Portland as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Keizer and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Keizer = $77,714, Portland = $83,731), job availability (9 vs 2,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Keizer vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $64,042 in Keizer and $68,768 in Portland. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
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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