The demand for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) is growing. Find out what an LPN does, learn about factors affecting LPN salary, and find out how much LPNs earn in your area.
Exploring the role of an LPN or LVN
LPN stands for licensed practical nurse and LVN stands for licensed vocational nurse, but they’re two names for the same role (LVN is only used in California and Texas). LPNs/LVNs meet the basic needs of residents and patients. They also provide clinical support to registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. .
Defining the LPN profession
LPNs work under RNs and physicians in many different settings, from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. They have more responsibilities than certified nursing assistants (CNAs), but not as many as RNs.
LPN coursework takes only around a year to complete, making it ideal for those looking to get started in healthcare sooner rather than later. It takes two years to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and four to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). One of those is required before becoming an RN.
An LPN’s workday can include monitoring patient vital signs, managing medications, assisting with medical procedures, keeping medical records and communicating with residents or patients and their families.
Key responsibilities and duties
An LPN's many clinical responsibilities and duties can include:
- Assisting with the activities of daily living
- Collecting specimens for diagnostics
- Monitoring patients and residents for changes
- Performing physical assessments
- Measuring vital signs
- Alerting RNs and physicians of condition changes
LPNs are also responsible for administrative tasks, which can include charting and creating shift change reports. Additionally, LPNs educate patients about their health conditions and proper medication usage.
LPN job settings and specialties
LPNs can find work in acute care centers, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, physicians’ offices, clinics and more. They can be generalists or specialists. Examples of LPN specialties are pediatrics, geriatrics and psychiatric care.
Factors influencing LPN salary
Education and certification requirements
- A GED or high school diploma
- Successful completion of an LPN program
- Successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
- All state-specific requirements
Advanced LPN certifications, like advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) and wound care, can increase income potential.
Work experience and expertise
As with most careers, LPNs with more experience can command a higher salary.
Geographic location and cost of living
Facilities in areas with a higher cost of living often pay LPNs more, though the high cost of living may balance that out.
Industry and sector
The top-of-range average LPN salary was in personal care ($90,950), followed by grantmaking and giving industries ($72,670), insurance carriers ($65,170), employment services ($64,660) and junior colleges ($64,260).
LPN salary ranges across the U.S.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics puts the average LPN salary in the U.S. at $ 29.23 per hour or $60,790 annually. But wages vary from state to state and facility to facility.
Regional variations in LPN salary
Here’s what the averages look like, broken down by region and state.
West
- Alaska $61,414
- California $64,348
- Colorado $59,310
- Hawaii $59,459
- Idaho $61,751
- Montana $55,895
- Nevada $58,070
- Washington $75,462
- Oregon $60,644
- Utah $53,349
- Wyoming $58,912
Midwest
- Illinois $54,722
- Indiana $57,948
- Iowa $54,790
- Kansas $51,266
- Michigan $49,147
- Minnesota $57,501
- Missouri $52,815
- Nebraska $53,556
- North Dakota $60,601
- Ohio $55,972
- South Dakota $57,274
- Wisconsin $59,817
Southwest
- Arizona $56,750
- New Mexico $57,471
- Oklahoma $51,865
- Texas $61,513
Southeast
- Alabama $ 55,197
- Arkansas $46,696
- Florida $45,507
- Georgia $51,420
- Kentucky $ 49,134
- Louisiana $ 50,203
- Mississippi $ 54,454
- North Carolina $51,195
- South Carolina $ 52,274
- Tennessee $53,438
- Virginia $55,689
- West Virginia $47,634
Northeast
- Connecticut $54,990
- Delaware $ 56,287
- Maine $62,582
- Maryland $ 54,565
- Massachusetts $ 61,884
- New Hampshire $60,119
- New Jersey $60,643
- New York $67,339
- Pennsylvania $61,677
- Rhode Island $56,170
Vermont $66,068
2024 average LPN salary data by Zip Recruiter
Metropolitan vs. rural LPN salaries
In cities, the demand for healthcare services is greater, and the salaries for LPNs tend to be greater as well.
However, metro areas also require high living wages, and some cost more than others. For example, compare the living wage in the New York metro area ($128,075 for a family of four) against the living wage in El Paso, Texas ($88,853).
While the pay could be lower, the cost of living in rural areas may balance things out. (It’s a common assumption that the cost of living is lower in rural areas, but there’s some conflicting evidence. Inflation is affecting prices in rural areas, too.)
LPN salary by setting
Hospitals: Hospitals serve people with acute issues, which makes them ever-changing, busy environments. The average LPN hospital salary is $26.63 per hour or $55,380 per year.
Skilled nursing facilities: As the population ages, the need for skilled-nursing LPNs is increasing. LPNs in skilled nursing receive an average of $30.64 per hour or $63,730 per year.
Home healthcare: Home healthcare LPNs serve people in their homes. In home healthcare, the average LPN salary is $29.35 per hour or $61,050 per year.
Physicians' offices and clinics: Physicians' offices and clinics usually offer LPNs stable hours and Monday through Friday schedules. In physicians' offices, the average salary is $25.76 per hour or $53,580 per year.
Assisted living facilities: Assisted living facilities serve people who need some assistance with their daily activities. In assisted living centers, the average salary is $29.51 per hour or $61,390 per year.
Psychiatric and substance abuse care: In psychiatric and substance abuse care, the average LPN salary is $29.05 per hour or $60,420 per year.
LPN salary comparison with other nursing roles
LPN vs. registered nurse (RN) salary: Because RNs have advanced responsibilities and education, they are paid higher salaries than LPNs. On average, RNs earn $94,480 per year, or $33,690 more than LPNs.
LPN vs. certified nursing assistant (CNA) salary: LPNs have more extensive training than CNAs, and their salaries tend to reflect that. The average CNA salary of $39,610 per year is $21,180 below that of the average LPN salary, which is $60,790.
Negotiating and maximizing LPN salary
Negotiating and maximizing your salary requires knowing your value, advocating for yourself and proving your skills.
Tips for LPN salary negotiation:
- Research LPN salaries. Learn the salary norms for LPNs in your city and state. If you’re experienced, understand the value you bring to the table and use it to negotiate.
- Highlight any advanced certifications. If you have advanced certifications, clearly state them on your resume and other communications.
- Get recommendations. If you’ve had great past work experiences, reach out for recommendations. If you’ve made connections with patients or residents, tell those stories.
LPN: An important role with competitive compensation
LPNs require more training than CNAs and have more responsibilities. They work closely with patients, residents and the medical teams that support them.
As essential as CNAs in caring for those in need, LPNs also provide more clinical services and take a more active role in a patient’s or resident’s care plan.
LPNs will continue to be in demand as the aging population grows, especially in the skilled-nursing and acute-care industries. That could result in greater income potential and more career opportunities for these critical licensed professionals in the years to come.
