2024 LPN Salary: Facts, Figures, Salaries by State

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Written by Jeanne Kal Senior Manager, B2C Content, IntelyCare
Male and female LPNs in a hospital hallway.

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. And be sure to check out how much you might earn in remote LPN jobs.

State Average Annual LPN Salary Average Hourly LPN Salary LPN Jobs
Alabama $48,320 $23.23 LPN jobs in Alabama
Alaska $74,260 $35.70 LPN jobs in Alaska
Arizona $66,720 $32.08 LPN jobs in Arizona
Arkansas $49,360 $23.73 LPN jobs in Arkansas
California $76,580 $36.82 LVN jobs in California
Colorado $64,710 $31.11 LPN jobs in Colorado
Connecticut $68,150 $32.76 LPN jobs in Connecticut
Delaware $63,490 $30.52 LPN jobs in Delaware
Florida $57,140 $27.47 LPN jobs in Florida
Georgia $55,090 $26.49 LPN jobs in Georgia
Hawaii $62,020 $29.82 LPN jobs in Hawaii
Idaho $54,600 $26.25 LPN jobs in Idaho
Illinois $64,630 $31.07 LPN jobs in Illinois
Indiana $59,460 $28.59 LPN jobs in Indiana
Iowa $55,870 $26.86 LPN jobs in Iowa
Kansas $55,610 $26.74 LPN jobs in Kansas
Kentucky $55,100 $26.49 LPN jobs in Kentucky
Louisiana $51,700 $24.85 LPN jobs in Louisiana
Maine $71,430 $34.34 LPN jobs in Maine
Maryland $66,460 $31.95 LPN jobs in Maryland
Massachusetts $73,400 $35.29 LPN jobs in Massachusetts
Michigan $61,910 $29.77 LPN jobs in Michigan
Minnesota $58,870 $28.30 LPN jobs in Minnesota
Mississippi $49,050 $23.58 LPN jobs in Mississippi
Missouri $55,220 $26.55 LPN jobs in Missouri
Montana $55,450 $26.66 LPN jobs in Montana
Nebraska $56,120 $26.98 LPN jobs in Nebraska
Nevada $66,580 $32.01 LPN jobs in Nevada
New Hampshire $71,770 $34.51 LPN jobs in New Hampshire
New Jersey $66,620 $32.03 LPN jobs in New Jersey
New Mexico $56,130 $26.99 LPN jobs in New Mexico
New York $63,020 $30.30 LPN jobs in New York
North Carolina $57,760 $27.77 LPN jobs in North Carolina
North Dakota $57,530 $27.66 LPN jobs in North Dakota
Ohio $57,660 $27.72 LPN jobs in Ohio
Oklahoma $51,880 $24.94 LPN jobs in Oklahoma
Oregon $71,180 $34.22 LPN jobs in Oregon
Pennsylvania $58,880 $28.27 LPN jobs in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island $75,470 $36.28 LPN jobs in Rhode Island
South Carolina $56,430 $27.13 LPN jobs in South Carolina
South Dakota $49,580 $23.84 LPN jobs in South Dakota
Tennessee $50,430 $24.25 LPN jobs in Tennessee
Texas $56,490 $27.16 LVN jobs in Texas
Utah $57,430 $27.61 LPN jobs in Utah
Vermont $65,170 $31.33 LPN jobs in Vermont
Virginia $57,810 $27.79 LPN jobs in Virginia
Washington $75,410 $36.26 LPN jobs in Washington
West Virginia $50,090 $24.08 LPN jobs in West Virginia
Wisconsin $57,190 $27.50 LPN jobs in Wisconsin
Wyoming $58,030 $27.90 LPN jobs in Wyoming
Washington D.C. $68,120 $32.75 LPN jobs in Washington D.C.
Puerto Rico $27,430 $13.19 LPN jobs in Puerto Rico

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:

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.