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Salary comparison

Medical Dosimetrists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Medical Dosimetrists out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $83K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Medical Dosimetrists land at $147,470 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: medical dosimetrist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Medical Dosimetrists is Washington ($189,280); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Medical Dosimetrists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$147,470
$64,400
Hourly rate
$70.9/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$111,670
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$185,450
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
3,410
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
3.5%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Medical Dosimetrists median pay.

State
Medical Dosimetrists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Washington
$189,280
$83,150
Oregon
$183,990
$80,470
New Jersey
$170,650
$75,160
New York
$166,540
$67,180
Illinois
$163,860
$75,000
North Carolina
$147,830
$63,270
Maryland
$147,470
$74,660
Indiana
$144,320
$65,720
Pennsylvania
$142,850
$63,940
Virginia
$142,830
$64,920
Wisconsin
$142,300
$63,760
Arizona
$142,090
$77,070
Massachusetts
$140,990
$80,220
California
$140,380
$79,750
Michigan
$137,970
$65,460

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Medical Dosimetrists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Medical Dosimetrists earn more nationally. The median is $147,470 for Medical Dosimetrists versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $83K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Medical Dosimetrists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Medical Dosimetrists has the better 10-year outlook at 3.5% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Medical Dosimetrists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Medical Dosimetrists 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 Medical Dosimetrists get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Medical Dosimetrists at $189,280/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Medical Dosimetrists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Medical Dosimetrists earn $189,280 vs. $83,150 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Medical Dosimetrists salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Medical Dosimetrists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a medical dosimetristsGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →