Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

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

Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by $294K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics land at $358,550 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: orthopedic surgeons, 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 Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics is Missouri ($842,800); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$358,550
$64,400
Hourly rate
$172.38/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$84,170
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$659,290
$83,440
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
14,100
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Missouri
Washington

Pay by state

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

State
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Wisconsin
$572,060
$63,760
Arizona
$558,970
$77,070
New Hampshire
$555,670
$77,110
Washington
$553,310
$83,150
Minnesota
$537,830
$63,750
Virginia
$478,710
$64,920
Illinois
$426,580
$75,000
New York
$414,290
$67,180
Michigan
$413,450
$65,460
Massachusetts
$392,300
$80,220
Colorado
$385,410
$73,880
Pennsylvania
$354,020
$63,940
New Jersey
$341,430
$75,160
California
$253,430
$79,750
Indiana
$177,710
$65,720

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics earn more nationally. The median is $358,550 for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $294K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Orthopedic Surgeons, 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 Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics get paid the most?

Missouri is the top-paying state for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics at $842,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wisconsin, Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics earn $572,060 vs. $63,760 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatrics by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a orthopedic surgeons, except pediatricGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →