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Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Virginia employs 15,550 LVNs, with a statewide median of $64,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Virginia median pay: $64,920 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,580
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,540
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,170
Employed in Virginia: 15,550
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Virginia markets:

Washington DC metro: $75,860 (7,170 employed)
Charlottesville: $67,120 (350 employed)
Virginia Beach–Norfolk: $64,370 (3,410 employed)
Richmond: $64,030 (2,570 employed)
Lynchburg: $61,370 (570 employed)
Roanoke: $61,210 (950 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,920 median is worth closer to $64,214 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)

Virginia is projected to grow LVNs employment +5.5%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,420 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — Virginia is in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) — regulated by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).

Complete a Virginia Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program (typically about 12 months at a community college).
Pass the NCLEX-PN examination through Pearson VUE. Apply through the Virginia Department of Health Professions portal with a criminal background check.
Virginia joined the NLC on January 1, 2021 — eligible LPNs receive a multistate compact license, allowing practice in 40+ compact states. License fee is $150. Renew biennially with continuing education.

Official requirements: Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) →

Training in Virginia

Virginia community colleges with Board-approved LPN programs include Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College, John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint), and Mountain Empire Community College. The NLC multistate license is particularly valuable in Northern Virginia, where many nurses work across the DC metro area (VA, DC, MD). Virginia LPN wages are elevated in the Northern Virginia corridor due to cost of living and federal contractor demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:

Blue Ridge Community College — Certificate
Brightpoint Community College — Certificate
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach — Certificate
Centra College — Certificate

Where LVNs Work in Virginia

Real Virginia nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Health Care Center — Danville
Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center — Alexandria
Mulberry Creek Nursing & Rehab Center — Martinsville
Friendship Health and Rehab Center — Roanoke
Regency Care of Arlington, LLC — Arlington
Salem Health & Rehabilitation — Salem

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.

Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.

First Steps

Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do LVNs make in Virginia?

The median wage for LVNs in Virginia is $64,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,170. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia?

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — Virginia is in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), overseen by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Complete a Virginia Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing program (typically about 12 months at a community college).

Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Virginia?

Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.

Which Virginia metros pay LVNs the most?

Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $75,860, followed by Charlottesville ($67,120), Virginia Beach–Norfolk ($64,370). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Virginia?

Real Virginia options include Blue Ridge Community College, Brightpoint Community College, Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in Virginia?

Virginia projects LVNs employment to change +5.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,420 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Virginia wages · Virginia licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.