LPN/LVN salary state by state [Updated January 2025]
An LPN or LVN in the United States makes an average of $29.23 per hour and $60,790 annually.
However, as you may suspect, many factors impact LPN/LVN income. Pay rates vary by state, city, and industry, among others. Therefore, you must understand the nuances of LPN/LVN pay to estimate your earning potential.
This state-by-state LPN/LVN salary guide covers everything there is to know about licensed practical nurse salaries:
- How much do LPNs make per hour?
- How much does an LPN make per year?
- How much do LPNs make in the highest-paying states and cities?
- How much money does an LPN make in different settings?
Read on for the answers to all your questions regarding LPN/LVN salary.
Salary data regarding states, metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas, and industries comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and only represents averages for employed LPNs/LVNs.
LPN/LVN salary state by state in 2025
Location is one of the main factors impacting the average salary range of an LPN. Whereas LVNs in California average $76,580 annually, LPNs in Alabama average $48,320.
Discover how LPN salary can vary state by state in the table below.
Which are the highest-paid LPNs in 2025?
Although the national average LPN wage is $60,790 annually and $29.23 hourly, the highest-paid 10 percent of LPNs earn over $77,870 annually and $37.44 hourly.
Furthermore, there are cities and industries where pay rates for LPNs are higher than these figures. Want to know where? Read on to find out.
Which are the highest-paying states for LPNs?
Without further ado, here’s how much LPNs make an hour and annually in the top 10 best-paying states for LPNs.
Which are the highest-paying cities for LPNs?
Do you think California pays LVNs well? Wait until you see the average LPN/LVN salaries in the 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas for practical/vocational nurses.
*Spoiler alert: Most of these cities are in California.
Which are the highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for LPNs?
Are you open to moving to another location for a higher LPN salary but unwilling to work in a city?
Thankfully, there are high-paying nonmetropolitan areas for LPNs as well. Here are the top five highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for LPNs/LVNs:
Which are the industries with the highest-paying LPN jobs?
Geographic location is not the only factor affecting LPN pay.
Average LPN salary also varies significantly from one career path to another. The following are the 10 top-paying industries for LPNs:
*Excluding state and local government schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS designation)
What is an LPN/LVN?
Licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) provide basic patient care, such as taking blood pressure and administering medications. LPNs/LVNs work in various healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, and physicians’ offices. They also work in non-healthcare settings such as high schools and private homes.
LPNs/LVNs must complete state-approved educational programs, which typically take about one year. They must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and obtain state licensure to practice nursing.
*Note: The term licensed vocational nurse or LVN is used in Texas and California, whereas, in the rest of the country, these professionals are called licensed practical nurses or LPNs. Otherwise, these terms have the same meaning.
What else increases the salary of LPN jobs?
Location and industry type are certainly essential factors affecting the average LPN income.
However, the pay rate for an LPN is quite a bit more complex. The following are some other factors influencing an LPN’s average annual salary based on Medscape’s 2023 RN/LPN Compensation Report:
Male vs. female LPNs
As in many other professions, there is a pay gap between male and female LPNs.
Whereas the average male LPN makes $61,000 annually, the average female LPN makes $55,000.
New vs. experienced LPNs
As is also the case across most professions, more work experience usually means more pay. However, an LPN’s starting pay is not so different from that of an experienced practical nurse.
Here are average LPN salaries based on years of nursing experience:
- Twenty-one years or more: $56,000
- Eleven to 20 years: $55,000
- Six to 10 years: $53,000
- Five years or less: $52,000
Urban vs. rural LPNs
In general, salaries in cities tend to be higher than in rural areas—and LPN salaries are not an exception.
Here are average LPN salaries based on community type:
- Urban: $57,000
- Suburban: $56,000
- Rural: $51,00
Ways LPNs supplement their income
Supplemental income is another important aspect affecting LPN pay.
Whereas about half of LPNs rely solely on a paycheck from one position, the other half take on additional responsibilities at work or even work additional jobs.
The following figures show how LPNs supplement their income and how prevalent each practice is:
- Worked extra shifts/overtime, weekends, and/or extra holidays: 32%
- Acted as a preceptor: 6%
- Worked “on call” shifts: 10%
- Took on charge nurse responsibilities: 6%
- Worked a second job or another income-producing activity (non-nursing): 13%
- Taught classes: 2%
- Other: 7%
Union membership and LPN salary
Finally, here is one more factor affecting LPN salary: union membership.
The following figures show how union membership can affect LPN pay:
- Average union-member LPN salary: $58,000
- Average non-union-member LPN salary: $55,000
What is the minimum wage for licensed practical nurses?
The lowest-earning 10 percent of LPNs make less than $21.96 hourly or $45,670 annually.
This pay is reflective of the lowest-paying jobs in the lowest-paying states.
Although the lowest-paid 10 percent of LPNs don’t make an impressive income, the pay is still higher than the highest minimum wage in the country ($17.50 per hour in the District of Columbia).
What is the LPN job outlook for 2025?
The employment of LPNs and LVNs is estimated to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, at the same rate as the average for all occupations.
This growth rate translates into approximately 54,000 job openings for licensed practical and vocational nurses annually over the decade. Many of these openings will result from the need to replace nurses who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.
Regarding pay, the 2023 Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report showed the following salary trend for LPNs:
- Increase in pay from the previous year: 63%
- No change in pay from the previous year: 27%
- Decrease in pay from the previous year: 10%
Assuming the trend will continue, most LPNs will see higher salaries in 2025.
Do LPNs make good money?
Whether or not LPNs make good money is relative.
In the third quarter of 2024, the median weekly earnings of full-time workers in the United States were $1,165.
Based on a 40-hour work week, the average LPN in the United States makes $1,169.20 weekly. In other words, LPN pay is comparable to the average income of a full-time worker.
For additional context, workers with high school diplomas as their highest level of education make median weekly earnings of $946. Those with at least a bachelor's degree make approximately $1,697. Therefore, pay typically increases with higher education.
How can LPNs make more money?
Based on the information already presented in this guide, LPNs can increase their income in the following ways:
- Up for traveling as an LPN? Move to one of the highest-paying locations for LPNs/LVNs, such as California.
- Find work in one of the highest-paying industries for LPNs, such as insurance carriers.
- Join a nurses’ union.
- Further your education.
- Supplement your income by working extra shifts and take advantage of shift differentials.
Additionally, working per diem nursing shifts is an excellent way to increase your hourly pay as an LPN.
Nurses may pick up extra per diem nursing shifts to supplement their income or decide to work per diem full time to take advantage of the higher hourly rates.
LPN vs. RN salary
If you are willing to continue your education, transitioning from LPN to registered nurse (RN) would significantly increase your nursing income.
Whereas LPNs make an average of $60,790 annually, RNs make an average of $94,480. This translates to over a 55 percent increase in average pay.
Discover RN salary state by state and compare it to LPN pay rates near you.
LPNs can complete Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADNs) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees to become RNs.
Final thoughts on LPN salary
This ultimate guide gave you all the information relevant to LPN salary to help you understand pay rates in your profession.
Now, it’s up to you to decide which steps you would like to take to maximize your earning potential.
Would you like to pick up high-paying PRN shifts? Sign up with Nursa to make high hourly rates as an LPN.
Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Economic News Release: Usual Weekly Earnings Summary
- U.S. Department of Labor: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table
- Medscape: Needed Pay Increases Arrive: Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report 2023
