Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Federal Way, WA

As someone who’s watched Federal Way grow from a quiet suburb into a bustling hub, I’ve seen the healthcare scene evolve right alongside the city. If you’re an LPN considering a move here, you’re looking at a solid market, but one with its own unique local dynamics. This guide isn’t about selling you on the city; it’s a direct, data-driven look at the reality of building a nursing career in Federal Way, Washington.

Federal Way sits in the heart of King County, a strategic location between Seattle and Tacoma. It’s a city of diverse neighborhoods, from the dense, apartment-filled corridors of the 320th to the quieter, single-family home communities near Steel Lake. For an LPN, this means a variety of potential commutes and living options. The healthcare demand is real, driven by an aging population and major regional employers, but let’s break down exactly what that means for your wallet, your license, and your career.

The Salary Picture: Where Federal Way Stands

Let’s get straight to the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for an LPN in Federal Way is $56,750 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.28. This is notably higher than the national average of $54,620, a common trend in the high-cost Pacific Northwest. The metro area supports approximately 195 LPN jobs, with a 10-year job growth projection of 5%. This growth is steady, not explosive, indicative of a mature, stable market rather than a boomtown.

Your actual earnings will depend heavily on experience, specialty, and shift differentials. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages in this region:

Experience Level	Typical Federal Way Salary Range	Key Factors Influencing Pay
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$48,000 - $53,000	Starting wages at large hospital systems, less shift premium eligibility.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$54,000 - $62,000	Ability to pick up high-demand specialties (e.g., dialysis, corrections), night/weekend differentials.
Senior (8-15 years)	$60,000 - $70,000+	LPN charge nurse roles, specialized clinic positions, union-negotiated pay scales.
Expert (15+ years)	$65,000 - $75,000	Management tracks (though often RN-led), corporate roles in home health agencies, teaching.

How does Federal Way stack up against other WA cities?

• Seattle/Bellevue: Salaries are higher ($60k-$65k median), but the cost of living is significantly more extreme, particularly housing.
• Tacoma: Salaries are very similar to Federal Way ($55k-$58k median), with a slightly lower cost of living. Commuting from Tacoma to Federal Way is common.
• Bremerton/Kitsap: Salaries can be a touch lower, but the cost of living is also lower, offering a different balance.
• Olympia: Comparable to Federal Way, but the job market is smaller.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base wage. Ask about shift differentials. In the Federal Way area, night shifts can add $2-$4/hour, and weekends another $1-$2/hour. For an LPN working a 36-hour week, that can mean an extra $5,000-$8,000 annually. This is a key lever for increasing your income.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $56,750 sounds reasonable, but Washington State’s cost of living, especially housing, will take a significant bite. Here’s a realistic monthly budget for an LPN earning the median wage, using local averages.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, No Dependents)

• Gross Monthly Pay: $4,729 ($56,750 / 12)
• Estimated Taxes (Federal + FICA): ~$950
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$3,779
• Health Insurance (Employer-Sponsored): $200 (estimate)
• Rent for 1BR Apartment: $1,864 (Federal Way average)
• Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet, Phone): $250
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $400 (Public transit is limited; a car is a necessity)
• Groceries & Essentials: $400
• Savings/Emergency Fund: $465

This leaves a tight but manageable budget. There’s little room for discretionary spending, and unexpected expenses can strain the finances.

Can an LPN afford to buy a home in Federal Way?
The short answer is: it’s very challenging on a single LPN income. The median home price in Federal Way is approximately $550,000. A 20% down payment would be $110,000. A mortgage on $440,000 (with a 6.5% interest rate) would be around $2,780 per month—already exceeding the net take-home pay after taxes and basic expenses. While some LPNs with dual incomes or significant savings can make it work, most will find renting the more feasible option initially. The path to homeownership typically involves career advancement to higher-paying roles, partnering with a dual-income household, or looking to more affordable neighboring cities like Auburn or Kent.

Where the Jobs Are: Federal Way's Major Employers

The job market here is anchored by a mix of large hospital systems, specialized clinics, and long-term care facilities. Here are the key players you should be researching:

1. St. Francis Hospital (CHI Franciscan): Located in Federal Way itself, this is a primary employer for LPNs. They have roles in med-surg, behavioral health, and sometimes same-day surgery. Insider Tip: CHI Franciscan often uses a centralized hiring system. Be persistent and apply to multiple internal postings if you don’t hear back immediately.
2. MultiCare Auburn Medical Center: While technically in Auburn (a 10-15 minute drive south), it’s a major healthcare hub for the entire South King County region, including Federal Way. They have a strong need for LPNs in outpatient clinics, dialysis, and inpatient units.
3. Valley Medical Center (Renton): Another 15-20 minute drive, but a Level II Trauma center with diverse LPN opportunities, especially in specialty clinics and urgent care.
4. Kindred Hospital (Seattle/Tacoma or Skilled Nursing Facilities): Federal Way has several skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care centers. Companies like Kindred, Life Care Centers of America, and local non-profits are consistently hiring LPNs for geriatric and rehabilitation care.
5. Federal Way School District: LPNs are employed to manage health offices in schools, handling everything from daily meds to chronic condition management for students. It’s a M-F, school-year schedule with summers off—a huge draw for work-life balance.
6. VA Puget Sound Health Care System (American Lake Division): Located in Lakewood (a 20-minute drive), the VA is a major federal employer with excellent benefits. They hire LPNs for primary care, mental health, and long-term care. The hiring process is lengthy but the stability is unmatched.
7. Private Home Health Agencies (e.g., Visiting Nurse Association, Providence at Home): The home health sector is growing. LPNs provide in-home care for patients discharged from hospitals. The pay can be competitive, and you get more autonomy, but you’re driving all over South King County.

Hiring Trends: The market is stable. The biggest demand is for LPNs willing to work in geriatrics (SNFs), behavioral health, and home health. Acute care hospital jobs are competitive; having a year of experience in a hospital setting is a significant advantage.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State is not a compact state for LPNs. If you’re licensed in another state, you must go through endorsement.

Requirements for Endorsement (Licensure by Endorsement):

1. Hold a current, active LPN license in another state.
2. Pass a background check through the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
3. Submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check.
4. Verification of original licensure from the state where you were initially licensed.
5. No exam required if your license is in good standing and you have at least 400 hours of work experience in the last 5 years (or 24 months of experience if you graduated longer ago).

Costs: The application fee is $125. Background check and fingerprinting fees add approximately $60-$80. Total cost is typically under $200.

Timeline: The process can take 4-8 weeks. Start your application with the WA DOH before you move. You can work under a temporary permit while your full license is processed if you have a job offer.

For New Grads: You must pass the NCLEX-PN. The process is similar: apply to the WA DOH, get your Authorization to Test (ATT), schedule the exam, and pass.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPNs)

Federal Way is a city of micro-neighborhoods. Your choice will balance commute time, rent, and lifestyle.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical 1BR Rent Estimate	Best For LPNs Who...
Central Federal Way (320th St Corridor)	Dense, urban, walkable to shops/restaurants. Easy access to I-5.	$1,700 - $1,900	Want a shorter commute to St. Francis Hospital or downtown Seattle. Prioritize walkability and amenities.
Mirror Lake / Lakeland	Quiet, suburban, family-oriented. Good schools, parks. A bit further from I-5.	$1,650 - $1,800	Work at MultiCare Auburn or Valley Med and want a quieter home life. Good for those with cars.
Steel Lake / Twin Lakes	Mix of older homes and apartments. Very central, close to The Commons mall and major shopping.	$1,750 - $1,950	Want everything within a 5-minute drive. Central location for commuting to various employers.
Dash Point / Brown's Point	Upscale, residential, hilly, with stunning Puget Sound views. Fewer apartments, more single-family rentals.	$2,000+ (mostly 2BR+)	Have a higher budget or a roommate. Prefer a quiet, scenic setting away from the city bustle.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-5 and SR 167 is notoriously bad during rush hour. If you work at St. Francis, living in Central Federal Way or Lakeland can cut your commute to under 15 minutes. If you work at Valley Medical in Renton, living in the Steel Lake area offers a straightforward, albeit longer, commute south.

The Long Game: Career Growth

An LPN career in Federal Way can be rewarding and stable, but advancement typically requires specialization or moving into non-traditional roles.

Specialty Premiums:

• Dialysis: LPNs in dialysis clinics often earn $2-$4/hour more than general med-surg roles.
• Corrections: Working in the prison system (e.g., Washington State Reformatory in Monroe, a commute, but a major employer) can offer higher pay and state benefits.
• IV Certification: While LPNs in WA have limited IV scope, obtaining additional certification (if your employer allows) can open doors in infusion centers or home health.
• Behavioral Health: Specialized training in mental health can lead to roles in psychiatric facilities or crisis stabilization units, which are in demand.

Advancement Paths:

1. LPN to RN Bridge: The most common path. Several local community colleges (Green River College in Auburn, Highline College in Des Moines) offer LPN-to-RN programs. This is the key to higher salaries and broader scope of practice.
2. Management: Becoming an LPN Charge Nurse or Unit Manager (more common in SNFs than hospitals).
3. Education/Corporate: Moving into staff education for a hospital system or a corporate role with a home health agency.

10-Year Outlook: With a 5% job growth and a steady influx of retirees, the demand for LPNs in geriatrics and home health will remain strong. The push for team-based care models in primary care clinics may also create new LPN roles. However, the trend toward higher education (RN, BSN) means LPNs will need to continually demonstrate their value and consider upskilling to advance significantly.

The Verdict: Is Federal Way Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average pay compared to the national median.	High cost of living, especially housing; homeownership is difficult.
Stable job market with 195+ jobs and steady 5% growth.	Traffic congestion can be a major daily stressor.
Central location between Seattle and Tacoma offers job variety.	Competitive hospital job market; experience is often required.
Diverse living options from urban to suburban.	Limited public transit makes a car a necessary expense.
No state income tax, which helps offset high costs.	Gray, wet climate can be a cultural adjustment for some.

Final Recommendation:
Federal Way is a solid, practical choice for an LPN with 2+ years of experience who is looking for stable employment and a moderate-paced suburban life. It’s less ideal for new graduates without experience, as the hospital jobs are hard to land, and for those whose primary goal is immediate homeownership on a single LPN salary. If you can secure a job at St. Francis or MultiCare and are comfortable renting, the combination of decent pay, job stability, and central location makes Federal Way a viable and strategic move. For new grads, consider starting in a smaller SNF in the area to gain experience, then transitioning to a hospital role later.

FAQs

Q: Is the job market for new LPN graduates in Federal Way competitive?
A: Yes, especially for hospital-based jobs. New grads should be prepared to apply to skilled nursing facilities, home health, and clinic positions initially. Gaining a year of experience opens up many more opportunities.

Q: What’s the commute like from Federal Way to Seattle?
A: It can be brutal. A 20-mile drive to downtown Seattle can take 45-75 minutes during rush hour. Many healthcare workers choose to live south of the city (like Federal Way) and commute north, but the traffic is a major daily factor.

Q: Are there unionized LPN positions in the area?
A: Yes. Several major hospitals and some skilled nursing facilities are unionized (e.g., SEIU 1199NW). Union jobs often have clearer pay scales, better benefits, and stronger job protections, but may have more rigid hiring rules.

Q: How important is a car for an LPN in Federal Way?
A: It’s essential. Public transit (King County Metro) exists but is not efficient for getting to most healthcare employers on a varied schedule. Most LPNs drive to work.

Q: What’s the best way to network with other LPNs in Federal Way?
A: Join the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) as an associate member. Attend local chapter meetings or health fairs. Also, be active on professional LinkedIn groups for Washington State healthcare workers.