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Salary comparison

Physical Therapists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Physical Therapists out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $38K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Physical Therapists land at $102,760 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: physical therapist programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Physical Therapists is California ($124,190); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Physical Therapists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$102,760
$64,400
Hourly rate
$49.4/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$77,140
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$135,140
$83,440
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
267,330
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
10.9%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Physical Therapists median pay.

State
Physical Therapists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$124,190
$79,750
Alaska
$115,280
$80,800
New Jersey
$112,140
$75,160
Nevada
$111,250
$76,160
Maryland
$106,890
$74,660
Washington
$105,950
$83,150
Illinois
$105,250
$75,000
Connecticut
$104,360
$73,690
Massachusetts
$103,790
$80,220
Oregon
$103,510
$80,470
Arizona
$103,220
$77,070
Colorado
$102,030
$73,880
District of Columbia
$101,640
$75,740
New Hampshire
$99,850
$77,110
Rhode Island
$99,400
$80,090

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Physical Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Physical Therapists earn more nationally. The median is $102,760 for Physical Therapists versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $38K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Physical Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Physical Therapists has the better 10-year outlook at 10.9% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Physical Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Physical Therapists 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 Physical Therapists get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Physical Therapists at $124,190/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Physical Therapists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Physical Therapists earn $124,190 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Physical Therapists salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Physical Therapists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a physical therapistsGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →