Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses land at $64,400 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is Washington ($83,150); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Registered Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $83,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn $83,150 vs. $124,200 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.