Washington State pays the highest LPN salaries in the country — over $83,000 median — and the state's community and technical colleges deliver affordable training to access that market. Bates Technical College (Tacoma), Clover Park Technical College, and Clark College (Vancouver) serve the Puget Sound and Portland-border regions. Providence, MultiCare, and Kaiser Permanente recruit directly from these programs. NOT an NLC state, but with the highest LPN pay in the US, staying in Washington is the smart financial play.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$7K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Washington State, community and technical colleges should be at the top of your list — and Washington's LPN salaries make the investment pay back faster than anywhere else in the country. Washington LPNs earn over $83,000 median — the highest in the nation, beating California, Alaska, and Massachusetts. Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, and Clark College in Vancouver (Portland border) deliver Board-approved LPN training at community college tuition rates while private programs charge $25,000–$40,000 for the same curriculum. Providence Health & Services, MultiCare Health System, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System all recruit directly from Washington's community and technical college nursing programs. Clark College in Vancouver gives you Washington training with access to the Portland, Oregon healthcare market across the bridge — though you'd need separate Oregon licensure. The state's strong union presence means community college-trained LPNs earn the same union wages as private-school graduates from day one. No Washington Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 10 months. Washington is NOT an NLC compact state — your license works only in Washington — but with the #1 LPN salary in the country, staying local is the most profitable option.
🔄 Need More Flexibility? Compare Online & Evening Programs
Community colleges are the best deal — but they often have waitlists, limited seats, and 1–2 start dates per year. If you need evening/weekend classes, multiple start dates, or online coursework with clinicals arranged near you, these accredited programs fill that gap. Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
~$7K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$79K+
Avg. WA LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Washington
Washington's community college LPN programs run 10–14 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Here's what to expect:
Accelerated full-time: Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week, 10–12 month completion
Hybrid/online theory: Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days — still 11–14 months
Evening/weekend tracks: Designed for working adults, typically 14–18 months
Community colleges in Washington offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total tuition for in-district students. Private nursing schools cost more but sometimes offer faster schedules and more flexible clinical placement.
Accredited LPN Schools in Washington
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the WA Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Clover Park Technical College
📍 Lakewood
HybridTechnical College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$7,800Clinical: Pierce County partners
Renton Technical College
📍 Renton
HybridTechnical College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$7,200Clinical: King County facilities
Bates Technical College
📍 Tacoma
HybridTechnical College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$7,400Clinical: Tacoma-area hospitals
Washington LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
WA Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
400 hours
Licensure Exam
NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE)
Background Check
Required prior to clinical placement
CPR Certification
Required before clinical start
Drug Screening
Required by most clinical partner facilities
Immunizations
Per program/facility requirements
🔄 Can't Get Into a Community College Program? Compare Alternatives
Waitlisted? Need evening classes or a different start date? These programs offer flexible schedules and online options with local clinicals. Sponsored listings.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
LPN Salary in Washington
Licensed Practical Nurses in Washington earn an average of $79,970/year ($38.45/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Seattle: $82,960/year
Tacoma: $80,400/year
Spokane: $74,200/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
Community colleges cost a fraction of private programs, deliver the same Board-approved curriculum and clinical hours, and often have equal or better NCLEX-PN pass rates. They also place you at local hospitals where you'll likely work after graduation. The only downside: waitlists and limited start dates. If you can get a seat, a community college is almost always the best choice.
The fastest accredited programs run about 10–12 months for full-time students. Some accelerated tracks at technical colleges can get close to 10 months, but you'll be in class and clinicals nearly every day. Part-time or hybrid programs typically take 14–18 months.
Community college programs often run $4,000–$12,000 for in-district students. Private and nationally accredited programs can range from $18,000–$35,000. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition assistance may be available.
After graduating from an approved program and applying through the WA Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Washington cities.
Hybrid programs that combine online theory with in-person clinicals are legitimate and approved by state boards. However, any program claiming to be 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and will not qualify you for NCLEX-PN or licensure.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition costs, program lengths, and school information are gathered from publicly available sources and intended as general guidance. Program availability, accreditation, and tuition are subject to change — verify details with the school and WA Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
🎓 Compare LPN Schools Near You
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
📋✨
Ready for the NCLEX-PN? Start Practicing Now
Free NCLEX-PN practice questions, study guides, and test-taking strategies. Plus grab our printable NCLEX-PN Study Planner to organize your prep week by week.