Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Staunton, VA: $83,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Staunton, VA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $83,683/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Staunton's price premium (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $91,830 in average-cost America. The 22% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, seasoned licensed practical nurses in Staunton, Virginia, can anticipate an annual salary in the upper tier of the pay spectrum, with top earners reaching up to $83,683. This figure significantly exceeds the local median salary of $68,367, illustrating the substantial income gap that experienced professionals can achieve through specialization and advanced career strategies. The earning potential in Staunton not only rivals that of many similar regions but also outpaces the national median of $68,071, reflecting the demand for advanced skills in nursing. To break into this upper echelon of salaries, LPNs must pursue opportunities that offer specialized training or certifications, positioning themselves for roles that demand greater expertise, such as in long-term care or IV therapy.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Staunton earn between $76,685 and $83,683 per year (2026 est.). This $29,205 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Staunton median of $68,367 sits 0.43% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Staunton | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $68,367 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,685 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $83,683 | $88,196 |
In Staunton, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 22.40% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Staunton
Advanced Certifications in Virginia
VA licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $68,367 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Staunton employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Staunton command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,685–$83,683 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Staunton metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Staunton with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Virginia who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Staunton
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedStaunton ranks #9 of 42 Virginia cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $83,683).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Staunton ($83,683) is 2.65% above the Virginia average P90 ($81,523).
2019 BLS Actual
$58,500
2025 BLS Actual
$79,170
2026 Current Est.
$83,683
2019–2027 Growth
+51.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,453 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Staunton saw their compensation grow 35.3% from $58,500 in 2019 to $79,170 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $88,453 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Staunton
Compensation for senior licensed practical nurses varies widely depending on the employment setting and their chosen specialization in Staunton. For instance, practitioners who focus on long-term care or acquire certifications in wound care and hospice care can secure higher wages in skilled nursing facilities compared to those employed in physician offices or home health agencies. Prospects for advancing into positions such as charge LPN or nursing supervisor are realistic for those willing to invest in their professional development, including pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs that expand their scope of practice. Additionally, those with advanced credentials, such as an active LPN/LVN license and specialized certifications, often benefit from increased pay scales. Non-salary compensation factors like shift differentials and holiday pay can further enhance overall earnings, making the senior licensed practical nurse pay in VA an attractive career choice for motivated professionals aiming for growth in a dynamic healthcare environment.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Staunton in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Staunton?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Staunton?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Staunton?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Staunton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $79,170 for licensed practical nurses in the Staunton metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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