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Salary comparison

Nurse Practitioners vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Nurse Practitionerss out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by $68K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nurse Practitionerss land at $132,300 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: nurse practitioner programs typically require master's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Nurse Practitionerss is California ($168,520); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Nurse Practitioners
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$132,300
$64,400
Hourly rate
$63.61/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$101,340
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$174,420
$83,440
Education required
Master's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
323,040
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
40.1%
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Nurse Practitioners median pay.

State
Nurse Practitioners
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$168,520
$79,750
New Jersey
$159,310
$75,160
Washington
$156,100
$83,150
Oregon
$155,680
$80,470
Alaska
$155,170
$80,800
Massachusetts
$142,440
$80,220
Nevada
$140,670
$76,160
Connecticut
$138,470
$73,690
New Hampshire
$137,550
$77,110
Rhode Island
$135,970
$80,090
District of Columbia
$135,880
$75,740
Arizona
$134,420
$77,070
Colorado
$132,930
$73,880
Maryland
$131,110
$74,660
Illinois
$130,680
$75,000

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Nurse Practitionerss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Nurse Practitionerss earn more nationally. The median is $132,300 for Nurse Practitionerss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $68K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Nurse Practitioners 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, Nurse Practitioners or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nurse Practitioners typically requires master's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Nurse Practitionerss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Nurse Practitionerss at $168,520/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Nurse Practitioners vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Nurse Practitionerss earn $168,520 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nurse Practitioners salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nurse Practitionerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a nurse practitionersGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →