Hey Everyone!
Welcome to our guide on LPN salaries in the United States.
After reading this guide, you’ll be able to have first-hand info on what to expect as LPN/LVN salary and also which states pay the highest.
This guide will cover the following:
- What is an LPNs average salary?
- LPN Salary by State
- Top paying States for LPN jobs
- Top paying LVN Compact States
So without further delay, let’s get straight into it!
What is an LPNs average salary?
If you are curious about an LVN/LPNs salary, this guide will detail how much LPNs earn per state, by the hour, and annually.
With the demanding job that Licensed Practical Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses can take on in the healthcare industry, it’s only fair to be compensated for their work by paying them their worth.
While the fairness of an LPNs salary compensation lies entirely up to you and your financial needs, the current US LPN average salary is slightly below the median household income of $67,521 based on a census report from 2020.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPNs’ or LVNs median annual pay stands at $48 820, which is still pretty good.
In addition, the number of years of experience and certifications you have may affect your LPN salary, with those with more experience and qualifications earning more than those who are new to the field.
Below we’ll break down the hourly wage of LPNs according to experience so that you may have a better understanding of how much you could earn.
LPN starting Pay (Hourly)
For Licensed Practical Nurses who have just started in their careers, the LPN starting pay (LVN starting pay) by the hour is $20.30.
LPNs who have been in their jobs for about 5-9 years are paid an average of $21.46 per hour.
If you are an LPN who has worked way past nine years but hasn’t exceeded 19 years, your average hourly salary should be about $22.37.
If you are in the late stages of your career and have worked for over 20 plus years, you should earn $23.15 per hour.
While Payscale establishes $23.15 as the highest hourly salary according to experience, in some states, LPNs can make way more than that amount, even reaching an hourly pay of $32.51.
An hourly wage of $32.51 could be attributed to having extensive experience combined with sufficient qualifications.
Furthermore, it may be attributed to the pay rates established by the healthcare facilities you work for and the State you practice in.
Despite this, relatively few LPNs earn up to $32.51. In the next section, we take a deeper look at the percentile wage estimates of LVNs in the U.S.
Income Percentile Statistics
There are about 676 640 LPNs that hold jobs in the United States.
From that amount, LPNs earning around $17.10 make more than what 10% of LPNs in the U.S. earn.
An hourly wage of $20.22 would earn you more than 25% of those working as LPNs.
If you make about $23.37 (the median salary), you earn more than 50% of LVNs in the country.
If your hourly wage is $27.82, you make more than what 75% of LPNs make in the country.
Lastly, should you earn $31.50, you’re earning much more than an astonishing 90% of LPNs in the U.S.
With an overview of the statistical side of what an average LVN is making in the U.S., let’s check out what an LPN’s salary is by State in the next section.
LPN/LVN Salary by State
With States having their unique regulations surrounding the educational and licensing requirements to become an LPN, it’s no surprise that the Licensed Practical Nurse Salary differs too.
Below we look at how much an LPN can earn according to the 50 states:
Alabama
The average hourly LPN salary in Alabama is $19.56, while the annual average is $40,680.
Alaska
The average LPN salary is $32.51 an hour in Alaska, while the average annual salary is $67,620.
Arizona
The average hourly LPN salary in Alabama is $19.56, while the annual average is $40,680.
Arkansas
LPN Salaries in Arkansas average $20.08 per hour, or $41,760 per year.
California
California’s average hourly LVN salary is $30.81, while the annual average is $64,090.
Colorado
The average salary for a licensed practical nurse in Colorado is $26.11, while the annual average wage is $54 310.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s average hourly LPN salary is $28.09, while the annual average is $58,430.
Delaware
Delaware’s average LPN salary is $25.92 per hour or $53,920 annually.
Florida
The average hourly LPN salary in Florida is $22.46, while the annual average is $46,710.
Georgia
A licensed practical Nurse in Georgia earns $21.48 an hour, while the yearly average is $44,690.
Hawaii
LPNs in Hawaii typically make $26.04 an hour, while the average annual income is $54,160.
Idaho
The average hourly LPN salary in Idaho is $23.38, while the annual average is $48,640.
Illinois
In Illinois, the average LPN salary is $26.24 per hour, while the annual average wage is $54,580.
Indiana
The average hourly LPN salary in Indiana is $23.02, while the annual average is $47,890.
Iowa
The average hourly LPN salary in Iowa is $22.05, while the annual average is $45,860.
Kansas
The average LPN salary in Kansas is $21.66 per hour or $45,050 annually.
Kentucky
The average hourly LPN salary in Kentucky is $21.23, while the annual average is $44,160.
Louisiana
A Louisiana Licensed Practical Nurse makes an average of $20.16 an hour, while the annual average is $41,920.
Maine
Maine’s average hourly LPN salary is $23.27, while the annual average is $48,390.
Maryland
The average hourly LPN salary in Maryland is $27.03, while the annual average is $56,220.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s average hourly LPN salary is $29.04, while the annual average is $60,400.
Michigan
Michigan’s average hourly LPN salary is $25.10, while the annual average is $52,220.
Minnesota
Minnesota’s average hourly LPN salary is $23.96, while the annual average is $49,840.
Mississippi
The average hourly LPN salary in Mississippi is $19.39, while the annual average is $40,340.
Missouri
The average hourly LPN salary in Missouri is $21.39, while the annual average is $44,490.
Montana
Montana’s average hourly LPN salary is $22.12, while the annual average is $46,010.
Nebraska
The average hourly LPN salary in Nebraska is $21.98, while the annual average is $45,710.
Nevada
Nevada’s average hourly LPN salary is $28.70, while the annual average is $59,700.
New Hampshire
The average hourly LPN salary in New Hampshire is $27.12, while the annual average is $56,400.
New Jersey
The average hourly LPN salary in New Jersey is $27.69, while the annual average is $57,590.
New Mexico
The average hourly LPN salary in New Mexico is $24.27, while the annual average is $50,480.
New York
The average hourly LPN salary in New York is $24.66, while the annual average is $51,300.
North Carolina
The average hourly LPN salary in North Carolina is $22.65, while the annual average is $47,120.
North Dakota
The average hourly LPN salary in North Dakota is $23.10, while the annual average is $48,060.
Ohio
Ohio’s average LPN salary is $22.40 per hour or $46,590 per year.
Oklahoma
The average hourly LPN salary in Oklahoma is $20.79, while the annual average is $43,250.
Oregon
In Oregon, the average hourly LPN salary is $27.56, while the average annual salary is $57,320.
Pennsylvania
The average hourly LPN salary in Pennsylvania is $24.16, while the annual average is $50,250.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s average hourly LPN salary is $28.41, while the annual average is $59,090.
Tennessee
The average hourly LPN salary in Tennessee is $20.35, while the annual average is $42,330.
South Carolina
The average hourly LPN salary in South Carolina is $20.97, while the annual average is $43,630.
South Dakota
The average hourly LPN salary in South Dakota is $18.95, while the annual average is $39,420.
Texas
Texas’s average hourly LVN salary is $23.26, while the annual average is $48,380.
Utah
Utah’s average hourly LPN salary is $22.86, while the annual average is $47,550.
Vermont
Vermont’s average hourly LPN salary is $24.64, while the annual average is $51,240.
Virginia
The average hourly LPN salary in Virginia is $22.79, while the annual average is $47,410.
Washington
The average hourly LPN salary in Washington is $28.74, while the annual average is $59,780.
West Virginia
The average hourly LPN salary in West Virginia is $18.72, while the annual average is $38,940.
Wisconsin
Offering nursing care as an LPN in Wisconsin will earn you an average salary of $23.11 per hour or an annual average of $48,070.
Wyoming
The earning potential of an LPN in Wyoming is $23.55 hourly, while the annual average is $48,980.
Top paying States for LPN jobs
There are many places in the United States where nurses get paid more than the national average.
Amongst the top paying states are Alaska and California, with Alaskan LPNs earning a mean annual wage of $67,620 and LVNs in California making about $64,090.
The third top paying State for LPN jobs is Massachusetts, with an annual mean salary of $60,400, followed by Washington, with LPNs earning a yearly salary of $59,780.
Last in the top 5 highest paying states is Nevada, with Licensed Practical Nurses making $59,700.
Top paying LVN Compact States
If you hold a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) or have a license in good standing from one of the states that recognize the NLC, then you might be aware that your license allows you to practice in all 39 NLC states without having to renew your license each time you decide to move states.
With this comes the benefit of seeking jobs in the highest paying NLC states without the hassle of having to work on fulfilling requirements to obtain a new license.
Among the top-paying LPN compact states is New Jersey, with an annual LPN salary average of $57,590, and New Hampshire, with a yearly average of $56,400.
The third highest paying LVN Compact state is Maryland, with an annual average LPN salary of $56 220, followed by Arizona, with an annual LPN salary of $55,820.
The fifth highest-paying LPN Compact State is Colorado, with an average yearly LPN salary of $54,310.
Conclusion
With the cost of living going up, you might want to familiarize yourself with LPN and LVN salaries before taking up a career in the field.
While some states like Alaska pay just about higher than the median household income in the U.S., you can’t help but acknowledge that many pay slightly below it.
However, an LPN’s salary is still relatively good, and it probably will be worth it to obtain a job as an LPN.
Otherwise, you could always further your education and perhaps get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing to explore other nursing careers like a registered nurse that typically pays more.
Good Luck!
FAQs
What are the highest-paid LPN jobs?
According to ZipRecruiter, LPNs earn the highest at $44,000 – $60,500 per annum in a home health care setting. Full-time LPNs that offer healthcare services in clinics earn between $41,000 – and $58,500. The LPN per Diem job market pays an annual salary range of $48,000 – $58,500.
How much are LPNs paid in Florida?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an LPN working in Florida could expect to get paid an average of $22.46 per hour or an annual average salary of $46,710.
How much do LPNs make a year?
According to data recorded by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which was last updated in May 2020, Licensed Practical Nurses make an average annual salary of $48,820.
How much do LPNs make an hour?
An entry-level LPN can earn $20.32 per hour, while a mid-career LPN (5 and 9 years) will earn an average of $21.49 hourly. An experienced LPN may earn an average of $22.38 per hour. An LPN of over 20 years will earn an average of $23.16.
How much does a new LPN make?
According to PayScale, an Entry-level LPN, or an LPN who worked between one and four years, can earn a salary of $20.32 per hour. As you progress in your career as an LPN, your salary will increase.
LVN Salary California -How much does LVN make in California?
Licensed Vocational Nurses in California earn an hourly salary that averages $30.81. The average annual wage of an LVN in California is $64,090.
LPN Salary Ohio – How much does an LPN make in Ohio?
An LPN’s average hourly salary in Ohio is $22.40. The average annual salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse in Ohio is $46,590.
LPN Salary Georgia – How much does an LPN make in Georgia?
The salary compensation of an LPN job in Georgia is $21.48, while the annual salary average is $44, 690.
LPN Salary New York – How much does an LPN make in New York?
LPNs in New York earn an average hourly wage of $24.66, while the annual average wage is $51,300.
LPN Salary North Carolina – North Carolina?
LPNs in North Carolina typically earn an hourly wage of $22.65, while the annual salary average is $47,120.
LVN Salary Texas – How much does LVN make in Texas?
In Texas, the average LVN salary is $23.26, while the average annual salary is $48,380.
