Becoming an LPN in Seattle

Last Updated/Verified: Aug 5, 2024

Like all major cities in the United States, Seattle, WA is experiencing a period of rapid growth in the healthcare industry. As the Baby Boomer generation begins retiring and aging out of the workforce, their dependence on frequent healthcare will increase. That will increase the demand for qualified healthcare professionals like Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), especially in large cities like Seattle.

Seattle is part of the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan area, which employs 3,170 LPNs. These perform a wide variety of healthcare-related tasks in diverse industries and facilities, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. LPNs in the Seattle metro area make an average annual salary of $50,290. That’s $7,238 more than the national median salary of LPNs. It’s also almost $4,000 more than the median salary in all of Washington.

There are many colleges and career centers in the Seattle area that offer courses, degrees, and licensure for people who want to become LPNs. Some of these programs include North Seattle Community College, South Seattle Community College, Everett Community College, and South Puget Sound Community College. Aspiring nurses willing to commute can also find more than 20 accredited LPN programs in the state.

Upon graduation, LPNs in Seattle have many options to enter the workforce and begin using their degrees. Some of the healthcare facilities in this region that rely on LPNs include Kindred Healthcare, Providence Health & Services, Tacoma General Hospital, Evergreen Health Hospice Services, Schick Shadel Hospital, and Overlake Hospital.

With its large population of Baby Boomers and elderly, the Seattle metro already has many employment opportunities for recent LPN graduates. The aging population will only increase that number in the future, making practical nursing a smart career choice.