State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is $64,400 a year ($30.96/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.6% through 2034, with about 54,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 29-2061Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $64,400
- Projected growth
- +2.6%
- Openings a year
- 54,400
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Charge Nurse, Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN), Clinic Nurse, Home Health Licensed Practical Nurse (Home Health LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Office Nurse.
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make?
10th percentile$49,740
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$59,000
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$64,400
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$76,030
Upper quartile
90th percentile$83,440
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $64,400 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $30.96/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $67,050 |
| People employed | 648,410 |
Versus all US occupations
At $64,400, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn 26% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $13,420 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870, this is 34% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $83,440 or more while the bottom 10% earn $49,740, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 50% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($83,150), but once local prices are taken into account Alaska leads at $78,938 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 | $77,701 | 6,780 |
| Alaska | $80,800 | $78,938 | 290 |
| Oregon | $80,470 | $77,853 | 4,260 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 | $75,853 | 13,210 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 | $78,305 | 1,290 |
| California | $79,750 | $72,029 | 82,850 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 | $74,027 | 2,220 |
| Arizona | $77,070 | $76,552 | 6,530 |
| Nevada | $76,160 | $76,176 | 3,350 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 | $68,917 | 1,040 |
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2.6%
All US occupations3.1%
+2.6% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses to change 2.6% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 17,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 54,400 openings are projected each year, 8.4% of the 651,400 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As the population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) will be needed in residential care facilities and in home health environments to care for older patients.
In addition, a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, have become more prevalent in recent years. LPNs and LVNs will be needed to assist and care for patients with these and other conditions.
How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (called licensed vocational nurses in some states) must complete a state-approved practical nursing program, which typically takes about a year, and then pass an exam to become licensed. That exam is the NCLEX-PN, developed by NCSBN and used by state boards of nursing.
The credential path, step by step
- Enroll in a state-approved practical nursing programAbout 1 year
Certificate and diploma programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools. Confirm with your state board of nursing that the program is on its approved list before enrolling.
- Complete the coursework and supervised clinical experience
Programs cover nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology, and all include supervised clinical experience.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN
After finishing the approved program, sit the NCLEX-PN through your nursing regulatory body and Pearson VUE.
- Obtain the state LPN or LVN license
Apply to the board of nursing in the state where you will work. Some employers additionally require or prefer CPR or basic life support (BLS) certification.
- Add optional certifications or bridge to RN
Optional certifications are available through professional associations in areas such as gerontology, wound care and intravenous (IV) therapy. LPNs can also complete an LPN-to-RN program to become a registered nurse.
Exams you have to pass
National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
Taken after completing a state-approved practical nursing program. It measures entry-level nursing competency and uses computerized adaptive testing. Passing it is the gate to the LPN/LVN license.
Administered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), delivered through Pearson VUE.
- Program accreditation
ACEN · Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
ACEN accredits practical nursing programs among all other nursing levels. Note the distinction that matters for licensure: what the state board requires is that the program be state-approved. ACEN accreditation is voluntary national accreditation on top of that, and a program can hold board approval without it. BLS advises contacting your state board of nursing for the list of approved programs.
- How long the training takes
About 1 year
BLS reports that certificate and diploma practical nursing programs, commonly found in community colleges and technical schools and sometimes in high schools, typically take about 1 year to complete.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Even the job title varies: some states license licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) rather than licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Each state board of nursing decides which practical nursing programs it approves, and sets the remaining license conditions and renewal terms. BLS directs candidates to their state board for the approved program list and to CareerOneStop for state licensing board requirements.
Who governs the credential
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) — Develops and publishes the NCLEX-PN examination and its test plan, used by state boards of nursing to measure entry-level practical nursing competency for licensure.
Credential detail for licensed practical nurses is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- NCSBN, NCLEX Test Plans · checked August 23, 2026
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, FAQs: ACEN and Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year. They also must have a license.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
- Some College Courses38.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate34.8%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)15.9%
- Bachelor's Degree11.1%
What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. Responsibilities for LPNs and LVNs are nearly identical; their title depends on the state in which they work.
Day-to-day tasks
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
- Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
- Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
- Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary.
- Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) work full time. Some work nights, weekends, and holidays, because medical care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts of longer than 8 hours.
Where the work happens
- Almost never works outdoors
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 37% |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16% |
| Home healthcare services | 12% |
| Offices of physicians | 12% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 6% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Learning Strategies3.1/5
Transferable skills
- Service Orientation4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Coordination4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Instructing3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Categorization or classification software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software
- Internet browser software
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.6
Investigative3.7
Artistic1.1
Socialprimary5.5
Enterprising2.1
Conventionalprimary4.6
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Licensed Practical Nurse: frequently asked questions
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn a median of $64,400 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 26% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.96/hr. The middle half earn between $59,000 and $76,030. The top 10% earn $83,440 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 38.2% hold some college courses.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.6% over 2024–2034, about the same as the 3.1% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 54,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. A core O*NET task: measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses the most?
The highest state medians for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are Washington ($83,150), Alaska ($80,800), Oregon ($80,470) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alaska moves to the top at $78,938.
What personality type suits a Licensed Practical Nurse?
O*NET scores Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses highest on the Social, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
About 1 year. BLS reports that certificate and diploma practical nursing programs, commonly found in community colleges and technical schools and sometimes in high schools, typically take about 1 year to complete.
Do you need a license to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Even the job title varies: some states license licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) rather than licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Each state board of nursing decides which practical nursing programs it approves, and sets the remaining license conditions and renewal terms. BLS directs candidates to their state board for the approved program list and to CareerOneStop for state licensing board requirements.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
The NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses). Taken after completing a state-approved practical nursing program. It measures entry-level nursing competency and uses computerized adaptive testing. Passing it is the gate to the LPN/LVN license.