Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Washington, DC
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $75,860 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,713 take-home, or $4,893 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,859
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,703
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,100
- District of Columbia income tax$3,484
- Take-home pay$58,713
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,880 | $29.75 | $49,325 | $4,110 |
| 25th percentile | $65,700 | $31.59 | $52,146 | $4,345 |
| Median (50th) | $75,860 | $36.47 | $58,713 | $4,893 |
| 75th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 | $61,792 | $5,149 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,470 | $42.05 | $65,899 | $5,492 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,860 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $58,713 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,923 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.55), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #29 of 53 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $78,990 | $62,054 | $60,973 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $94,310 | $69,410 | $60,036 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,080 | $62,016 | $60,026 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $82,190 | $62,761 | $57,969 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $78,070 | $60,033 | $57,949 |
| 29 | Washington, DC | $75,860 | $58,713 | $53,923 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 53 metros →
About the job: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.0% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Washington, DC?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $75,860 a year, or about $36.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,700 and $80,830.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $75,860 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $58,713 a year ($4,893 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,484 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,923 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #29 of 53 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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