LPN/LVN salary: what licensed practical nurses earn in 2026

The median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is $64,400 per year, or $30.96 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (SOC 29-2061, May 2025). Most LPNs earn between $49,740 at the 10th percentile and $83,440 at the 90th percentile – a $33,700 range driven by setting, state, and years of experience. Washington, Alaska, and Oregon pay the most on the current release; Mississippi, South Dakota, and West Virginia sit at the bottom.

If you are researching an LPN program, this is the salary picture you are buying into. LPN programs run 12–18 months, cost far less than a two- or four-year nursing degree, and deliver clinical wages from day one. Whether the LPN salary is the right trade-off depends on your state, your target setting, and your long-term plans. Here is what the data shows.

At a glance

National LPN salary data

LPN and LVN (licensed vocational nurse) are the same role with different names – LVN is used only in California and Texas, while every other state uses LPN. Both require passing the NCLEX-PN exam, both share the same scope of practice, and BLS reports both under a single occupational code (SOC 29-2061). When you see “LVN salary” in California job postings and “LPN salary” everywhere else, you are looking at the same credential.

The BLS May 2025 data shows the following percentile breakdown for LPNs and LVNs nationally:

The 10th–90th percentile spread of roughly $33,700 is meaningful. An LPN in a rural physician office in Mississippi may earn near that state’s $50,220 median; an experienced LPN in a correctional facility in Washington, where the state median is $83,150, can clear $90,000. The same credential, at different employers, produces dramatically different compensation.

Approximately 651,400 LPNs are employed in the United States. BLS projects 3% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 – about as fast as the average for all occupations – and aging population demographics continue to drive demand in long-term care and home health settings, with roughly 54,400 job openings projected annually over the coming decade.

LPN salary by setting

Where you work matters more than geography for most LPNs starting out. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care (LTC) are the dominant employer – they pay at the top of the setting range and almost always have open positions. Physician offices pay significantly less and are highly competitive to enter.

Two things to know about the figures below. They are annual mean wages rather than medians, which is the statistic BLS publishes in its industry-by-occupation tables, so they are not directly comparable to the $64,400 national median or the state medians further down. And they come from the May 2024 industry-by-occupation reference period, one survey year behind the May 2025 national and state figures used elsewhere in this guide. Because LPN wages rose roughly 4% between those two releases, read the ranking between settings as reliable and treat the absolute dollar amounts as a floor that current pay sits above.

One setting that does not appear in the BLS five-industry breakdown but consistently outpays the rest: correctional facilities. County jails, state prisons, and federal detention centers pay LPNs $70,000–$82,000+ annually, partly because of shift differentials and partly because recruitment is difficult. Corrections nursing is understated in most salary guides. If geographic restrictions allow, it is one of the fastest ways for an LPN to reach the 75th percentile ($76,030) and beyond without relocating or bridging to RN.

LPN salary by state

The table below covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia using BLS OEWS May 2025 state-level data (SOC 29-2061), accessed through the O*NET state wage tables so every row can be checked against the source. California and Texas list their equivalents as LVNs; the underlying role is identical.

The May 2025 release reordered the top of this table, and most LPN salary content has not caught up. Washington ($83,150) is now the highest-paying state, ahead of Alaska ($80,800), Oregon ($80,470), Massachusetts ($80,220), and Rhode Island ($80,090). Massachusetts held the top spot on the May 2024 data and is still widely described as the highest-paying state for LPNs; on the current release it ranks fourth, and the five states above $80,000 sit within $3,000 of each other. At the other end, Mississippi ($50,220) remains the lowest, with South Dakota ($52,750) and West Virginia ($55,360) next. Treat the top-five ordering as close enough to be release-sensitive rather than a settled ranking.

On the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Most states participate in the NLC, which allows LPNs licensed in one compact state to practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license. As of 2026, 43 jurisdictions have enacted the NLC and 40 states have implemented it. Massachusetts, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have passed the legislation without setting an implementation date, so confirm current status with your state board before relying on it. Michigan, Minnesota, and New York have not enacted the compact at all, despite bills being introduced in each. For LPNs considering geographic flexibility – whether for travel nursing, relocation, or cross-border work – holding a compact state license significantly expands the range of states where you can pick up shifts or accept positions without relicensing delays and fees. If you are choosing between two otherwise-equivalent states for your initial LPN program and licensure, the compact membership of that state is worth factoring in.

Experience and how pay grows

The $33,700 spread between the 10th and 90th percentile is not random. A significant portion of it is explained by experience. An entry-level LPN in long-term care typically earns $50,000–$56,000 in the first year. A 5-year LPN in a hospital or home health role in a mid-cost state earns $67,000–$76,000. That trajectory is fairly consistent across employer types, though the ceiling differs by setting.

Approximate experience tiers based on aggregated employer data and BLS OEWS:

• 0–1 year: $50,000–$56,000, tracking the 10th-to-20th percentile of the national distribution. Most new LPN positions are in SNF or LTC. Starting rates in these facilities are competitive because turnover is high and demand is constant.
• 2–4 years: $57,000–$66,000, spanning the 25th percentile up through the median. At this point, LPNs begin accessing hospital float pool positions, corrections roles, and home health full-time positions – all of which pay above the SNF baseline.
• 5+ years: $70,000–$80,000 is achievable in higher-paying states or specialized settings, putting an experienced LPN between the 75th and 90th percentile. Supervisory LPN roles in LTC (charge nurse, unit coordinator) often add $3,000–$7,000 to base salary.

Certifications that move the salary needle directly include IV therapy certification and wound care certification. The NAPNES CPLN (Certified Practical Nurse/IV Therapy) certification matters in states that restrict LPN IV access by default – earning this certification expands your scope, which directly affects placement options and which employers will hire you for higher-acuity roles. NAPNES also offers the general CPLN credential, which signals competency to hospital and subacute employers. Neither certification requires years of experience – both are accessible in the first few years of practice.

For a full overview of the licensure pathway and what NCLEX-PN covers, see how to become an LPN and the LPN program overview.

One factor that does not show up in salary tables but meaningfully affects long-term compensation: supervisory title progression. In skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings, experienced LPNs frequently move into charge nurse, unit coordinator, or MDS coordinator roles. These titles typically add $3,000–$7,000 in base compensation, and MDS coordinators – who handle the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement coding that determines facility revenue – can earn $75,000–$85,000 without ever leaving the LPN credential. The MDS Coordinator role is one of the most underdiscussed high-paying paths for experienced LPNs, and most LTC facilities prefer to hire internally from LPNs who already know the floor.

The NFLPN (National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses) membership and the NAPNES certifications also carry signal value to certain employers. Neither is as widely required as RN credentialing bodies, but in competitive markets where an LPN position draws 20–30 applicants, board membership and a specialty credential can differentiate a candidate meaningfully.

How to increase your LPN salary

The most effective salary levers for LPNs, ranked by practical impact:

1. Move into a higher-paying setting. Physician offices average $57,680 on the May 2024 industry cross-tab – the lowest of the common settings. Nursing and residential care facilities average $67,420. Corrections and government facilities often pay $67,000–$78,000. The same license, the same hours, and a $10,000–$20,000 difference – entirely explained by employer type.

2. Earn specialty certifications. IV therapy certification (NAPNES CPLN), wound care, and medication aide credentials expand your scope in states that restrict default LPN practice. On the wound care side, be careful which credential you chase: WOCNCB’s CWCN and CWCN-AP are RN-only and additionally require a bachelor’s degree, so they are not open to LPNs. The WOCNCB credential an LPN can hold is the WTA-C (Wound Treatment Associate-Certified), which accepts a current LPN/LVN licence and requires 160 hours of clinical preceptorship. The American Board of Wound Management’s WCC-style credentials are the other common route. Employers in subacute and post-acute settings pay premiums for LPNs who can handle higher-acuity tasks independently.

3. Relocate or leverage the NLC. Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island all pay LPNs $25,000–$33,000 more annually than Mississippi, the lowest-paying state. If you hold a compact state license, you can also pursue travel LPN contracts – typically 13-week placements that pay $30–$45/hour all-in – without obtaining new licenses in each state.

4. Consider correctional or government nursing. Most salary guides treat corrections as a footnote. County jails, state prisons, and VA outpatient clinics consistently offer LPN roles with base pay at the 75th–90th percentile of the BLS range, plus pension benefits and predictable scheduling. Recruitment is harder because of the setting, which is exactly why pay is elevated.

5. Bridge to RN. The LPN-to-RN bridge is the clearest long-term salary move. The RN national median is $97,550 – a $33,150 premium over the LPN median. In high-cost states, the premium is larger. Most community colleges and online programs offer LPN-to-RN bridges that credit your existing clinical training and allow you to complete the ADN in 12–18 months of additional coursework rather than starting from zero. See CNA-to-LVN bridge programs for background on bridge program structures.

LPN vs RN salary comparison

The RN premium over LPN compensation is real and consistent. The difference is explained by scope of practice: RNs can independently assess, diagnose nursing problems, develop care plans, and administer a wider range of medications and treatments. LPNs work under RN or physician supervision and have more restricted independent authority in most states.

The $33,150 median gap between LPN and RN reflects roughly 12–18 additional months of education for ADN-to-RN bridge completers who enter as LPNs. On a 30-year career timeline, that salary differential compounds substantially. An LPN earning $64,400 who bridges to RN at age 28 and retires at 60 captures an additional $33,150 per year for 32 years – before accounting for the salary growth trajectory that tends to favor RNs in high-acuity settings.

That said, LPN programs cost far less and take far less time than ADN or BSN programs. For candidates who want clinical work quickly or are not certain about a long nursing career, the LPN credential earns a solid income with a fast entry point. The bridge option remains available afterward.

For a detailed breakdown of RN pay by state and specialty, see the RN salary guide. For the full RN licensure pathway, see how to become a registered nurse.

Summary

LPNs earn a national median of $64,400, with realistic top-quartile salaries around $76,030 in most states. The setting you choose – skilled nursing, corrections, government, or home health – moves your salary more than geographic differences within most regions. Experience adds $15,000–$25,000 over five years. Specialty certifications, particularly IV therapy, expand your scope and your employer options. And the bridge to RN, available to working LPNs through LPN-to-RN programs, remains the most straightforward path to the $97,550 RN median.

One thing the national median does not capture: shift differentials. Nights, weekends, and holidays in LTC and hospital settings typically add $2–$5/hour to base pay. An LPN earning $30.96/hour during the day can realistically take home $35–$36/hour effective hourly compensation if they work a rotating or evening-night schedule. That differential, across a full-time year, adds $8,000–$11,000 to annual earnings – pushing a median LPN into 75th-percentile territory without a new certification or a new employer.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061),” May 2025 (released May 2026). National median annual wage $64,400; national percentiles $49,740 (10th) to $83,440 (90th). https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm
2. O*NET OnLine, “Wages for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061.00),” state median annual wages mirroring BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. Source used for the all-state table in this guide; verified for all 50 states and DC in August 2026 (Washington $83,150 highest, Mississippi $50,220 lowest). https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-2061.00
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 employment projections, 2024–2025 edition.
4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141),” May 2025 (RN comparison figures). National median annual wage $97,550.
5. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), “Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Participating States,” 2024.
6. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), “NCLEX-PN Examination Test Plan,” 2024.
7. National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES), “Certified Practical Nurse / IV Therapy Certification Overview,” 2024.
8. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), “Nursing Workforce Data and Long-Term Care Demand Projections,” 2024.

National and state salary data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 29-2061, May 2025, with state figures accessed via the ONET state wage tables. Setting-level figures are from the May 2024 industry-by-occupation cross-tabulations and are one release behind the national and state figures above; they are labeled as means and dated accordingly. Employment projections from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034.*