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Salary comparison

Family Medicine Physicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Family Medicine Physicianss out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by $180K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Family Medicine Physicianss land at $244,180 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: family medicine physician programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Family Medicine Physicianss is Rhode Island ($467,160); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Family Medicine Physicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$244,180
$64,400
Hourly rate
$117.39/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$76,830
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$428,550
$83,440
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
107,510
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Rhode Island
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Family Medicine Physicians median pay.

State
Family Medicine Physicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Rhode Island
$467,160
$80,090
Alaska
$323,490
$80,800
Oregon
$293,240
$80,470
Washington
$292,900
$83,150
Arizona
$292,760
$77,070
New Jersey
$292,170
$75,160
Maryland
$285,730
$74,660
Massachusetts
$277,490
$80,220
New Hampshire
$268,650
$77,110
Colorado
$265,560
$73,880
California
$252,010
$79,750
Nevada
$251,550
$76,160
Illinois
$245,120
$75,000
District of Columbia
$233,390
$75,740
Connecticut
$163,930
$73,690

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Family Medicine Physicianss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Family Medicine Physicianss earn more nationally. The median is $244,180 for Family Medicine Physicianss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $180K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Family Medicine Physicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Family Medicine Physicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Family Medicine Physicians typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Family Medicine Physicianss get paid the most?

Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Family Medicine Physicianss at $467,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Family Medicine Physicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Rhode Island, Family Medicine Physicianss earn $467,160 vs. $80,090 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Family Medicine Physicians salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Family Medicine Physicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a family medicine physiciansGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →