Athletic Trainers vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses out-earn Athletic Trainers by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Athletic Trainers land at $62,520 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: athletic trainer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Athletic Trainers is California ($78,490); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Athletic Trainers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Athletic Trainers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $62,520 for Athletic Trainers versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Athletic Trainers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Athletic Trainers has the better 10-year outlook at 11.1% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Athletic Trainers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Athletic Trainers typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Athletic Trainers get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Athletic Trainers at $78,490/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Athletic Trainers vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Athletic Trainers earn $78,490 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.