2024 LPN Salary: Facts, Figures, Salaries by State

As a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), you play an essential role in healthcare. No doubt there were a variety of reasons you choose this career path. If the promise of a steady paycheck was one of them, you may be wondering what factors might alter your LPN salary. That’s why we’re here.

We’ll also address some commonly asked questions, including how much does an LPN make a year on average, how education can impact your salary, what’s the job outlook for LPNs, and more.

How Much Do LPNs Make?

The national average LPN salary is $60,790 per year, or $29.23 per hour. But LPN pay rates vary greatly based on where in the country you’re employed (see the chart below). The answer to the question, “How much does an LPN make in California?” is very different than the answer to the question, “How much does an LPN make in Missouri.”

There are a handful of other factors that influence what you can earn. For example, the number of years you’ve been working as an LPN, how much education you’ve amassed, and the type of facility that employs you can all play a role.

LPN Average Salary by State

To get a better understanding of how much you might earn in different parts of the country, check out this list of the average annual LPN salary and hourly rates by state according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the market for a new job? Click the links to see current LPN/LVN jobs in each state and what they may be paying.

Best-Paying States for LPNs 2024

So, what is an LPN salary worth in the highest-paying states? And where do LPNs make the most money? Great questions, but the answers change. As with all other jobs’ salaries, the average LPN pay can change from one year to the next, and the best-paying states can also vary from year to year. According to the latest data, these are the highest-paying states for LPNs and LVNs:

• California
• Rhode Island
• Washington
• Alaska
• Massachusetts

How Your Nursing Degree Can Affect Your Salary

If you compare the average annual LPN salary vs. RN salary ($94,480), you’re looking at a difference of about $33,690 per year. That’s a considerable amount of money. Wondering why the big difference between LPN and RN salary figures? The answer has to do with the amount of education required to complete each degree.

It takes about one year to become an LPN or an LVN. You need to complete an accredited LPN program and receive a passing score on the NCLEX-PN to receive your license to practice. On the other hand, it takes two to four years to become an RN, depending on whether you earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), respectively. RNs have more training and more responsibilities than an LPN and earn a higher salary as a result.

LPN Salaries: FAQ

Do different facilities pay LPNs different salaries?

Most often, yes. Besides the geographical location, your education, and your level of experience, your paycheck can be impacted by the type of healthcare setting in which you work. For example, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to pay LPNs more money than medical and surgical hospitals do. Here’s a look at the average annual salaries in various settings:

• Outpatient centers: $66,740
• Skilled nursing facilities: $63,730
• Home health care: $61,050
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $55,380 per year
• Doctors’ offices: $53,580 per year
• Assisted living facilities (ALFs) and retirement communities: $61,390

What is the job outlook for LPNs?

According to the BLS, the employment of LPNs is expected to grow by 5% over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all other jobs. That’s an additional 54,400 job openings every year for the next 10 years. As current workers retire or switch career paths, they’ll create these availabilities that will need to be filled.

The changing population will also affect the need for LPNs and LVNs. Health services are expected to grow in demand as the baby boomer population ages. Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity will likely also require more LPNs and LVNs to enter the workforce.

What are some practical ways to increase my salary?

Whether you’ve got to pay back your student loans, save up for a vacation, or put some money away for retirement, there are a number of solid reasons to want to know how to earn more money as an LPN. Here are some of the many options to pursue that can help:

• Negotiate with your employer: When you get a job offer, it’s wise for you to negotiate your base salary. Learn what the going pay rate is for someone in your job and in your location. Having that data can give you the backup you need when you ask for a larger salary. The more information you have, the more confident you’ll feel when you advocate for yourself.
• Strategize your schedule: Your employer may offer shift differentials for evening, night, weekend, and holiday hours. You’ll earn an extra hourly rate in addition to your base pay.
• Earn certifications: It may be possible to make more money or receive a bonus if you complete certain certification courses. Ask your employer if there are any financial incentives for earning a certification.
• Work per diem: If your schedule allows for it, picking up a few additional shifts each month — either with your existing employer or as gig worker — can add up.
• Make some changes: Considering a more substantial change? Try looking for a better-paying job or moving to an area where nurses are in great demand. You’d be doing the same kind of work, but you could potentially earn a lot more, as you can see in the state-by-state salary breakdown above.

Want to Boost Your LPN Salary?

You deserve to earn what you’re worth. Need some help exploring your career options? Check out the LPN jobs and LVN jobs that are available right now to find one that fits your needs.