Licensed Vocational Nurse salary in Washington
A licensed vocational nurse in the Washington, DC area earns an estimated $75,860 a year ($36.47/hr) — about 18% above the U.S. average, with most between $65,700 and $80,830. City figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Licensed Vocational Nurse — Washington, DC
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$75,860
+18% vs nationalHourly
$36.47/hr
- Typical range
- $65,700–$80,830
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $87,470
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $61,880
- Newer nurses
Part of Licensed Vocational Nurse pay in District of Columbia.
Other nursing roles in Washington
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this metro.
What affects licensed vocational nurse pay in Washington
Capital metro; high pay and cost of living. For a licensed vocational nurse, local pay also reflects the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, shift differentials, unit acuity, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Washington, DC in official U.S. government wage data — about 18% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Washington, DC, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,880 and the highest-paid 10% about $87,470. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this metro figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Washington — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Washington make this page more precise over time.
Licensed Vocational Nurse salary in Washington — FAQ
- How much does a licensed vocational nurse make in Washington?
- A licensed vocational nurse in the Washington, DC area earns an estimated $75,860 a year — about $36.47 an hour, with most between $65,700 and $80,830. That's about 18% above the national average. This is an estimate based on the role's national pay and Washington's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Washington a good place for licensed vocational nurses?
- On pay, Washington runs about 18% above the national average for licensed vocational nurses. Big-city wages are often offset by a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $75,860 against local housing and expenses.
- How does Washington licensed vocational nurse pay compare to District of Columbia overall?
- Statewide, District of Columbia licensed vocational nurses earn an estimated $75,740 a year, versus about $75,860 in Washington. Metro pay can run above or below the state figure depending on hospital concentration and local demand.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, metro)
Washington, DC figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national licensed vocational nurse pay adjusted for Washington. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.