How to Become a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn a median salary of $64,400/year in the United States. Most positions require Postsecondary nondegree award. The highest-paying states include Washington, Alaska, Oregon.
Where Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $81K | $1,643 | $46K |
| Washington | $83K | $1,830 | $45K |
| Nevada | $76K | $1,501 | $44K |
| New Hampshire | $77K | $1,528 | $44K |
| Rhode Island | $80K | $1,544 | $44K |
| Arizona | $77K | $1,437 | $43K |
| Illinois | $75K | $1,407 | $41K |
| Maine | $73K | $1,281 | $41K |
| Wyoming | $63K | $1,008 | $41K |
| Oregon | $80K | $1,555 | $40K |
| Indiana | $66K | $1,144 | $39K |
| North Dakota | $62K | $1,034 | $38K |
| Idaho | $64K | $1,136 | $37K |
| Ohio | $62K | $1,188 | $37K |
| Vermont | $70K | $1,498 | $37K |
| Delaware | $69K | $1,448 | $36K |
| Iowa | $63K | $1,064 | $36K |
| Kansas | $62K | $1,066 | $36K |
| Maryland | $75K | $1,795 | $36K |
| Michigan | $65K | $1,272 | $36K |
| Missouri | $62K | $1,097 | $36K |
| Montana | $62K | $1,129 | $36K |
| Nebraska | $63K | $1,113 | $36K |
| Wisconsin | $64K | $1,202 | $36K |
| Connecticut | $74K | $1,679 | $36K |
| Kentucky | $60K | $1,110 | $35K |
| North Carolina | $63K | $1,284 | $35K |
| Pennsylvania | $64K | $1,351 | $35K |
| Tennessee | $59K | $1,215 | $35K |
| Texas | $62K | $1,415 | $35K |
| Colorado | $74K | $1,832 | $35K |
| Minnesota | $64K | $1,384 | $34K |
| New Jersey | $75K | $2,067 | $34K |
| New Mexico | $59K | $1,119 | $34K |
| Oklahoma | $58K | $1,081 | $34K |
| South Carolina | $62K | $1,263 | $34K |
| Utah | $63K | $1,350 | $34K |
| Massachusetts | $80K | $2,347 | $33K |
| Arkansas | $57K | $1,021 | $33K |
| District of Columbia | $76K | $2,146 | $32K |
| Florida | $62K | $1,658 | $32K |
| Georgia | $62K | $1,434 | $32K |
| Louisiana | $57K | $1,191 | $32K |
| South Dakota | $53K | $1,017 | $32K |
| West Virginia | $55K | $1,008 | $32K |
| Alabama | $57K | $1,085 | $32K |
| Virginia | $65K | $1,646 | $31K |
| California | $80K | $2,471 | $31K |
| New York | $67K | $1,917 | $30K |
| Hawaii | $71K | $2,240 | $27K |
| Mississippi | $50K | $1,077 | $27K |
Education and training
Healthcare careers typically require formal education from an accredited program, ranging from certificate programs (6-12 months for roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists) to doctoral degrees (for physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists). Most healthcare education includes mandatory clinical rotations or supervised practice hours that can't be completed online alone. Programs must be accredited by the relevant professional body for graduates to sit for licensing exams.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions typically call for Postsecondary nondegree award. Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or structured training complements formal education.
Licensing and certification
Most healthcare roles require state licensure or national certification, often both. Licensing typically involves completing an accredited program, passing a standardized exam, and maintaining continuing education credits for renewal. Many healthcare licenses are state-specific: you may need a new license if you move, although interstate compacts are expanding in nursing, physical therapy, and other fields.
What the day-to-day looks like
Healthcare work is inherently hands-on and interpersonal. Most roles involve direct patient interaction, documentation in electronic health records, coordination with other providers, and adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Schedules vary dramatically by setting, hospitals operate 24/7 with shift work, while clinics and private practices typically run standard business hours.
Career progression
Healthcare offers unusually clear career ladders. Most professions have defined levels (entry, experienced, specialist, advanced practice, management) with specific credential requirements at each step. Lateral moves between specialties are common, and advanced degrees open doors to higher-paying or leadership roles. The aging U.S. population means demand for healthcare workers is projected to grow faster than the overall economy for the foreseeable future.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $83K | 6,780 |
| Alaska | $81K | 290 |
| Oregon | $80K | 4,260 |
| Massachusetts | $80K | 13,210 |
| Rhode Island | $80K | 1,290 |
| California | $80K | 82,850 |
| New Hampshire | $77K | 2,220 |
| Arizona | $77K | 6,530 |
| Nevada | $76K | 3,350 |
| District of Columbia | $76K | 1,040 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for licensed practical and licensed vocational nursess is Washington at $83,150/year, that's $18,750 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for Washington.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $32,930. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses making $50,220 in Mississippi may have more purchasing power than one making $83,150 in Washington if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses jobs are California (82,850 workers), Texas (57,560 workers), Ohio (39,900 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for licensed practical and licensed vocational nursess, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
In healthcare, the strongest negotiation levers are specialization (certifications in high-demand areas), willingness to work undesirable shifts (nights, weekends, holidays command premium differentials), geographic flexibility (rural and underserved areas often offer sign-on bonuses and loan repayment), and experience in high-acuity settings.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS salary data for healthcare occupations often underreports total compensation because overtime, shift differentials, sign-on bonuses, and per diem premiums aren't captured in the median wage figure. The actual W-2 for many clinical roles exceeds the BLS median by 10-20%.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for licensed practical and licensed vocational nursess in every metro.
View Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make?▼
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses salary in the United States is $64,400 per year ($31/hour). Entry-level positions start around $49,740, while experienced professionals earn up to $83,440.
What education do you need to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?▼
Most licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses positions require Postsecondary nondegree award. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?▼
Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the latest employment projections for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
What are the highest paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?▼
The highest paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are Washington ($83,150), Alaska ($80,800), Oregon ($80,470), Massachusetts ($80,220), Rhode Island ($80,090). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.