Licensed practical nurses earn a 2024 median wage of $62,340 a year ($29.97 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — solid pay for a career you can train for in about a year. But the median hides a wide range, and where you work changes the number a lot. Here’s what LPNs actually make, where the job market is headed, and how to push your pay higher.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Median LPN pay is $62,340/year ($29.97/hour) as of May 2024.
- The range runs from about $47,960 to over $80,510, depending on setting, experience, and location.
- Government and nursing-facility roles pay the most; physician offices pay the least.
- Outlook is steady: 3% growth and about 54,400 openings per year through 2034.
- You can raise your pay with specialty certifications, higher-paying settings, or bridging to RN.
How Much LPNs Make: The Full Range
The median is the midpoint — half of LPNs earn more, half earn less. Per BLS:
- Lowest 10%: under $47,960
- Median: $62,340
- Highest 10%: over $80,510
Where you land depends heavily on your work setting. Median annual wages by top industry, per BLS:
| Setting | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Government (excl. state/local education & hospitals) | $66,370 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $64,170 |
| Home healthcare services | $61,300 |
| Hospitals (state, local, private) | $59,200 |
| Offices of physicians | $57,660 |
The pattern: government and skilled-nursing facilities pay above the median, while physician offices — often more predictable, daytime schedules — pay a bit below it. That’s a real trade-off between pay and lifestyle worth weighing.
Pay by Location
Geography matters as much as setting. Wages vary widely by state and metro area; BLS publishes state and area figures through its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, and the Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop has a salary-by-ZIP tool. As a rule, higher-cost states and metros pay more in absolute dollars — check local numbers before you judge an offer.
Job Outlook: Steady and Aging-Driven
Employment of LPNs is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the average for all occupations — with roughly 54,400 openings per year over the decade, per BLS. There were about 651,400 LPN jobs in 2024.
The demand driver is demographics: as the population ages, more care shifts to nursing and residential facilities and to home health, where LPNs are heavily employed (those two settings alone account for nearly half of LPN jobs). Rising rates of chronic conditions like diabetes add to the need. Many openings also come from replacing nurses who retire or move into other roles.
How to Raise Your LPN Salary
The median is a starting point, not a ceiling. Concrete levers, several backed by BLS:
- Specialize with certifications. Optional certifications in areas such as gerontology, wound care, or IV therapy show advanced knowledge and can lift pay, per BLS.
- Choose a higher-paying setting. Moving from a physician office to a skilled-nursing facility or a government employer can mean several thousand dollars a year.
- Build experience and supervise. With experience, LPNs can advance to supervisory roles overseeing other LPNs or unlicensed staff.
- Bridge to RN. The biggest jump is becoming a registered nurse — RNs earn a median of $93,600, per BLS. An LPN-to-RN program credits some prior coursework; weigh the math in our LPN vs RN guide.
Is the Pay Worth the Training?
For about one year of school, an LPN earns a median well above the all-occupations median of $49,500 — and the credential is a launchpad, not a dead end. Between specialty certs, setting choice, and the RN bridge, there’s a clear path upward. If that appeals, start with our guide to the best LPN programs and the step-by-step path to becoming an LPN; if you’re new to healthcare entirely, becoming a CNA first is a common first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do LPNs make more than CNAs or medical assistants? Yes, noticeably. The 2024 median was $62,340 for LPNs versus $39,430 for nursing assistants and $44,200 for medical assistants, per BLS — which is why many CNAs and MAs train up to LPN.
Can an LPN make six figures? It’s uncommon on base pay — the top 10% of LPNs earn over $80,510, per BLS. Six figures usually means heavy overtime, travel-nurse contracts, or bridging to RN (median $93,600).
Which setting pays LPNs the most? Government employers ($66,370 median) and nursing and residential care facilities ($64,170) pay above the median; physician offices ($57,660) pay below it, per BLS — often a pay-versus-schedule trade-off.
Do LPNs work nights and weekends? Often. Care happens around the clock, so many LPNs work nights, weekends, and holidays, and shifts can run longer than 8 hours, per BLS.
How fast can I start earning as an LPN? About a year — that’s the typical length of a state-approved practical nursing program, after which you pass the NCLEX-PN and get licensed.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook — Last modified August 28, 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook — Last modified August 28, 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — Accessed June 2026
