CareerFacts

All careers › Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Licensed vocational nurse: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$64,400median pay per year, or $30.96 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $49,740lowest 10% earn less
  2. $59,00025th percentile
  3. $64,400median
  4. $76,03075th percentile
  5. $83,440top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned a median of $64,400 a year in May 2025[1]. That is above the $50,980 median for all occupations[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3%[4]
Openings per year
51,800[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do licensed vocational nurses make?

The median wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses was $64,400 a year, or $30.96 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $67,050 a year, or $32.24 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[2].

Point in the range Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][8] $49,740 $23.91
25th percentile[3][8] $59,000 $28.37
Median[1] $64,400 $30.96
75th percentile[3][8] $76,030 $36.55
90th percentile[3][8] $83,440 $40.12

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $49,740, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $83,440[3][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover about 648,410 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, Washington had the highest median at $83,150, followed by Alaska at $80,800 and Oregon at $80,470[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $50,220[12].

In the metro list, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $95,320[13]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $94,310, then Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA at $92,580[13].

California had the most jobs, with 82,850, followed by Texas with 57,560 and Ohio with 39,900[14]. Among metro areas, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the most jobs at 33,590, with a median of $79,310[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$83,1506,780
Alaska$80,800290
Oregon$80,4704,260
Massachusetts$80,22013,210
Rhode Island$80,0901,290
California$79,75082,850
New Hampshire$77,1102,220
Arizona$77,0706,530
Nevada$76,1603,350
District of Columbia$75,7401,040
New Jersey$75,16017,410
Illinois$75,00017,440
Maryland$74,6609,560
Colorado$73,8804,920
Connecticut$73,6908,540
Maine$73,200760
Hawaii$71,140840
Vermont$69,9301,130
Delaware$68,7102,240
New York$67,18039,400
Indiana$65,72014,480
Michigan$65,46010,880
Virginia$64,92015,550
Pennsylvania$63,94038,260
Idaho$63,8001,880
Wisconsin$63,7607,390
Minnesota$63,75012,840
Wyoming$63,460480
North Carolina$63,27018,010
Utah$63,2301,680
Nebraska$62,6604,580
Iowa$62,6305,510
North Dakota$62,3001,920
Texas$62,24057,560
Montana$62,2101,620
Georgia$62,03021,060
Ohio$61,95039,900
South Carolina$61,8209,400
Florida$61,77038,620
Kansas$61,7607,530
Missouri$61,53014,700
Kentucky$60,4608,570
New Mexico$59,3302,460
Tennessee$58,87020,830
Oklahoma$58,32011,540
Louisiana$57,47017,600
Alabama$57,03011,580
Arkansas$56,62010,010
West Virginia$55,3606,050
South Dakota$52,7502,050
Mississippi$50,2209,850

How to become a licensed vocational nurse

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training[6].

With experience, nurses may move into supervisory roles[23]. Some move into other healthcare jobs, for example through an LPN-to-RN education program that leads to registered nurse work[23].

In an O*NET survey of 35 workers, 38% said some college courses were the education required, 35% said a postsecondary certificate, 16% said an associate's degree and 11% said a bachelor's degree[24].

The handbook names compassion, communication, attention to detail and interpersonal skills as useful qualities[25][26][27][28].

What licensed vocational nurses do

O*NET describes the work as caring for ill, injured or recovering patients and people with disabilities, and says a license is required[29]. Nurses may work under the supervision of a registered nurse[29]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report titles such as charge nurse, clinic nurse, home health LPN and private duty nurse[31].

Where they work

Typical workplaces are hospitals and nursing care facilities[32]. Those in home health travel to patients' homes[32]. Nursing and residential care facilities were the largest employer, at 37% in 2025[33]. Some nurses travel around the country to help where there are too few healthcare workers[34].

Full-time work is typical. Some nurses work nights, weekends and holidays because care goes on at all hours, and shifts may be longer than 8 hours[35].

The job carries physical and health risks. BLS says injury and illness rates for these nurses rank among the highest of any occupation, from causes such as overexertion and exposure to diseases or harmful substances[36]. They must follow guidelines to protect against infection, needle sticks and other dangers[37].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 666,900 to 686,700 jobs[4]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[38].

BLS projects about 51,800 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Those openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.7% of workers leave the labor force and 3.7% move to a different occupation[39].

Only 0.9% of these nurses were self-employed in 2025[40].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a short training route. A state-approved program typically takes about 1 year, and a licensing exam follows[16][20]. Median pay of $64,400 is above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][2]. Growth is projected at 3%, close to the 3.5% rate for all occupations, and turnover still creates about 51,800 openings a year[4][38][5]. The work involves shifts that can run past 8 hours and one of the higher injury and illness rates among occupations[36][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a licensed vocational nurse make an hour?
The median was $30.96 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $23.91 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $40.12[8][9].
How long does it take to become a licensed vocational nurse?
A state-approved educational program typically takes about 1 year[16][17]. After it, you must pass an exam to be licensed[20].
What degree do you need to be a licensed vocational nurse?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[6]. Programs are certificate or diploma programs at places such as community colleges[17].
Is licensed vocational nursing in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035[4], against 3.5% for all occupations[38]. About 51,800 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for licensed vocational nurses?
Washington had the highest median at $83,150, followed by Alaska at $80,800[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the US was $64,400 per year and $30.96 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: 10th percentile $49,740, 25th percentile $59,000, 75th percentile $76,030, 90th percentile $83,440. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 666,900 to 686,700 jobs (a change of +19,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 51,800 openings for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses was $67,050 per year and $32.24 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: 10th percentile $23.91, 25th percentile $28.37, 75th percentile $36.55, 90th percentile $40.12. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 648,410 people were employed as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $95,320; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $94,310; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $92,580; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $85,690; Vallejo, CA $85,430; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $83,940; Napa, CA $83,690; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $83,510. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs: California 82,850; Texas 57,560; Ohio 39,900; New York 39,400; Florida 38,620. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 33,590 (median $79,310); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 32,410 (median $75,910); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 15,920 (median $70,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 12,590 (median $64,370); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 11,420 (median $78,070); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 10,730 (median $63,670). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 29-2061.00 survey of workers (35 respondents), education level they say is required: Some College Courses 38%, Post-Secondary Certificate 35%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 16%, Bachelor's Degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 29-2061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Charge Nurse, Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN), Clinic Nurse, Home Health Licensed Practical Nurse (Home Health LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Office Nurse, Pediatric LPN (Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse), Private Duty Nurse. O*NET OnLine
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in 2025: Nursing and residential care facilities 37%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: 3.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS Employment Projections: 0.9% of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.