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Salary comparison

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $236K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric land at $300,080 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: ophthalmologists, except pediatric programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric is Rhode Island ($450,370); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$300,080
$64,400
Hourly rate
$144.27/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$100,180
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$489,710
$83,440
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
8,950
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
4.3%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Rhode Island
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric median pay.

State
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Rhode Island
$450,370
$80,090
New Hampshire
$404,330
$77,110
California
$400,150
$79,750
New York
$360,050
$67,180
Nevada
$345,600
$76,160
Maine
$337,850
$73,200
Oregon
$334,450
$80,470
Massachusetts
$325,200
$80,220
Washington
$304,830
$83,150
Colorado
$288,050
$73,880
Illinois
$284,630
$75,000
Vermont
$258,910
$69,930
Maryland
$211,770
$74,660
Michigan
$179,720
$65,460
Indiana
$168,600
$65,720

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earn more nationally. The median is $300,080 for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $236K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric has the better 10-year outlook at 4.3% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric 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 Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric get paid the most?

Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric at $450,370/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Rhode Island, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earn $450,370 vs. $80,090 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a ophthalmologists, except pediatricGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →