Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $32.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $32.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,827 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Virginia Beach, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $32.71 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the potential earnings for LPNs working in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For those considering part-time or per-diem work, this translates to approximately $2,191 for a 3-day workweek of 24 hours. Entry-level positions earn around $26.03, while the most experienced can earn up to $39.30 hourly, demonstrating a wide range of earning potential that masks the variance in job responsibilities and employer types. These figures come from reliable projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, ensuring accuracy for those assessing the financial aspects of a practical nursing career in the Virginia Beach area.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.03 | $208.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.90 | $239.22 |
| Median (P50) | $32.71 | $261.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.94 | $295.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.30 | $314.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $32.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.71/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $68,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,257. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,308.57 | $5,670 | $68,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $785.14 | $3,402 | $40,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.43 | $2,268 | $27,218 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Virginia Beach) | $32.71 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $68,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.90% above the Virginia state average of $64,861.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.71/hr = $40,827/year (purchasing power: $41,686).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,045/year (purchasing power: $69,476).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Virginia Beach grew 47.7% from $20.95/hr (2019) to $30.95/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.58/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia Beach
Focusing on the practical implications, a part-time licensed practical nurse in Virginia Beach working 24 hours a week could take home about $65,407 annually, significantly less than a full-time nurse's average income. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Virginia Beach can vary considerably; while these LPNs often charge between $28-$42 hourly, those working with staffing agencies at understaffed facilities could earn as much as $45-$60 per hour. Job types greatly affect earnings: skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, hospice care, and home health agencies generally present differing pay scales, reflecting their specific needs and the associated responsibilities. Moreover, some LPNs may prefer jobs offering lower hourly rates for the sake of securing health benefits, highlighting a vital trade-off for this profession. Negotiating hourly rates often requires understanding local market demand and specific employer needs, equipping nurses with the tools necessary to secure a favorable position in Virginia Beach's healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Virginia Beach?
Are licensed practical nurses in Virginia Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Virginia Beach?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Virginia Beach?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Virginia Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov