Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
SOC: 29-2061 O*NET: 29-2061.00
Median Salary
$62,340
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
54.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
What does a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$55,220
25th percentile
Median
$62,340
50th percentile
Experienced
$73,160
75th percentile
Top Earners
$80,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,960
25th
$55,220
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,340
Mean: $64,150
75th
$73,160
90th
$80,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $32,550 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $55,220 and $73,160
- •Salary spread is 28.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 632,430 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:651,400
Top Industries
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities37.2%
Ambulatory Health Care Services30.9%
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)28.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.6%
Annual Openings:54,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)651,400
Current
2034 (Projected)668,500
+2.6%
+17,100
Employment Change
+2.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
79,610 jobs$77,1701.07x
Texas
59,060 jobs$60,1501.04x
New York
40,720 jobs$64,0301.04x
Florida
36,470 jobs$60,0800.91x
Ohio
36,440 jobs$60,9901.61x
Pennsylvania
31,140 jobs$62,0101.26x
Georgia
20,800 jobs$58,4901.04x
Tennessee
19,140 jobs$54,5301.43x
Louisiana
18,630 jobs$53,9302.38x
Illinois
18,230 jobs$66,0300.73x
North Carolina
17,430 jobs$61,3800.87x
Virginia
16,710 jobs$62,3101.00x
Massachusetts
15,210 jobs$76,5601.02x
New Jersey
15,210 jobs$71,1800.87x
Indiana
14,680 jobs$63,6901.12x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Coordination
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Parking Enforcement Workers90%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Nannies82%
5 shared skills
Concierges82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechEpic Systems
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Operations & Execution (2)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Help patients with bathing, dressing, maintaining personal hygiene, moving in bed, or standing and walking.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Supervise nurses' aides or assistants.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Record food and fluid intake and output.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals typically have a SRC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.58
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.54
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.51
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.51
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.49
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.49
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Independence
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Leadership
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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