May 2025 BLS data
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) salary by state
The national median licensed practical nurse (lpn/lvn) earns $64,400/year ($30.96/hr) — but state medians span $50,220 to $83,150. Where you work matters enormously.
All states, ranked by median pay
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $83,150 | $39.98 |
| 2 | Alaska | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| 3 | Oregon | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| 6 | California | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| 8 | Arizona | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| 9 | Nevada | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $75,740 | $36.42 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| 12 | Illinois | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 13 | Maryland | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| 14 | Colorado | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| 16 | Maine | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| 18 | Vermont | $69,930 | $33.62 |
| 19 | Delaware | $68,710 | $33.03 |
| 20 | New York | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| 21 | Indiana | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| 22 | Michigan | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| 23 | Virginia | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| 25 | Idaho | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 30 | Utah | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| 32 | Iowa | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| 34 | Texas | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| 35 | Montana | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| 36 | Georgia | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| 37 | Ohio | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 39 | Florida | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| 40 | Kansas | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 41 | Missouri | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| 47 | Alabama | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $55,360 | $26.61 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $50,220 | $24.14 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. States without published estimates for this role are omitted.
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What do people in your role actually earn?
Other healthcare roles
- Registered Nurse$97,550/yr
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300/yr
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)$236,590/yr
- Nurse Midwife$134,040/yr
- Nursing Assistant (CNA)$42,260/yr
- Medical Assistant$45,690/yr
- Home Health & Personal Care Aide$35,800/yr
- Phlebotomist$45,230/yr
- Surgical Technologist$64,650/yr
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse (lpn/lvn) make?
Nationally, the median licensed practical nurse (lpn/lvn) earns $64,400 per year ($30.96/hr), with most earning between $49,740 and $83,440 (May 2025 BLS data).
Which state pays licensed practical nurse (lpn/lvn)s the most?
Washington leads with a median of $83,150 per year, followed by Alaska ($80,800) and Oregon ($80,470).
Do these numbers include overtime and differentials?
BLS wage estimates include base pay, incentive pay, and cost-of-living allowances, but exclude overtime premiums. Shift differentials and certification pay can push real take-home meaningfully above these figures.