LPN Salary by State: How Much Do Licensed Practical Nurses Make?
The national median salary for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is $59,730 per year — or $28.72 per hour — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2024 data. That places LPNs well above CNAs ($38,200 median) and establishes practical nursing as one of the strongest-paying careers you can enter in under 18 months of education.
But the national median only tells part of the story. LPN salaries vary dramatically by state, metro area, work setting, and experience level. LPNs in California earn a median of $67,010, while those in Mississippi earn $42,720 — a $24,290 gap for the same license.
Below you'll find the complete salary picture: all 50 states, top metro areas, pay by work setting, and how LPN salaries compare to CNAs and RNs.
National LPN Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,870 | $21.57 |
| 25th percentile | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| 75th percentile | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| 90th percentile | $77,990 | $37.49 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 OES, SOC 29-2061 (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses).
LPN Salary by State — All 50 States + DC
The table below shows the median annual LPN salary, total employment, and a cost-of-living-adjusted estimate for every state and the District of Columbia. The COL-adjusted column uses the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities to show how far your salary actually goes.
| State | Median Salary | Employment | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,990 | 14,350 | $49,414 |
| Alaska | $63,850 | 830 | $50,276 |
| Arizona | $60,200 | 10,890 | $58,447 |
| Arkansas | $43,270 | 8,240 | $49,736 |
| California | $67,010 | 72,980 | $48,209 |
| Colorado | $59,340 | 6,480 | $55,981 |
| Connecticut | $62,410 | 9,340 | $55,723 |
| Delaware | $56,270 | 2,220 | $55,713 |
| District of Columbia | $58,020 | 1,810 | $46,790 |
| Florida | $50,870 | 50,440 | $50,366 |
| Georgia | $49,530 | 22,330 | $53,258 |
| Hawaii | $58,910 | 2,060 | $49,504 |
| Idaho | $51,970 | 2,620 | $53,577 |
| Illinois | $56,900 | 22,820 | $59,271 |
| Indiana | $52,620 | 15,140 | $58,467 |
| Iowa | $50,850 | 8,040 | $56,500 |
| Kansas | $50,450 | 6,470 | $56,685 |
| Kentucky | $47,480 | 11,780 | $53,955 |
| Louisiana | $46,590 | 15,660 | $51,198 |
| Maine | $55,380 | 3,100 | $55,380 |
| Maryland | $58,780 | 11,690 | $53,436 |
| Massachusetts | $65,680 | 16,810 | $55,193 |
| Michigan | $55,240 | 18,960 | $60,043 |
| Minnesota | $54,080 | 14,040 | $54,626 |
| Mississippi | $42,720 | 10,390 | $50,259 |
| Missouri | $48,980 | 15,870 | $55,034 |
| Montana | $51,640 | 1,820 | $53,792 |
| Nebraska | $51,150 | 4,800 | $56,209 |
| Nevada | $60,490 | 4,510 | $58,163 |
| New Hampshire | $58,020 | 3,270 | $54,224 |
| New Jersey | $61,030 | 19,220 | $52,612 |
| New Mexico | $53,580 | 3,220 | $57,000 |
| New York | $58,600 | 52,760 | $51,404 |
| North Carolina | $51,490 | 20,010 | $54,200 |
| North Dakota | $51,290 | 2,070 | $55,750 |
| Ohio | $52,350 | 29,500 | $58,167 |
| Oklahoma | $47,830 | 11,360 | $54,977 |
| Oregon | $62,180 | 4,140 | $57,574 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,330 | 33,920 | $56,594 |
| Rhode Island | $62,710 | 2,660 | $58,607 |
| South Carolina | $48,470 | 10,440 | $51,564 |
| South Dakota | $47,170 | 2,640 | $52,411 |
| Tennessee | $47,230 | 17,910 | $53,067 |
| Texas | $54,600 | 68,150 | $58,710 |
| Utah | $53,710 | 3,170 | $53,178 |
| Vermont | $55,990 | 1,230 | $53,324 |
| Virginia | $53,040 | 17,060 | $51,495 |
| Washington | $66,540 | 9,490 | $60,491 |
| West Virginia | $44,390 | 5,680 | $51,616 |
| Wisconsin | $52,830 | 11,300 | $56,806 |
| Wyoming | $52,350 | 800 | $56,290 |
Sources: BLS May 2024 OES (SOC 29-2061); BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ regional price parity index.
Key takeaways from the state data: California leads in raw salary ($67,010), but high living costs erode that advantage. Nevada ($60,490 median, $58,163 COL-adjusted) and Texas ($54,600 median, $58,710 COL-adjusted) offer some of the best real-world value for LPNs.
Looking for LPN programs in a specific state? Browse all state pages for school listings, licensing requirements, and local board of nursing contacts.
Top 15 Highest-Paying Metro Areas for LPNs
Metro-level data reveals where LPN demand — and pay — peaks. California dominates the top of the list, but metros in Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, and Alaska also rank among the highest.
| Rank | Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,830 |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $74,130 |
| 3 | Vallejo, CA | $72,640 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $71,500 |
| 5 | Napa, CA | $70,980 |
| 6 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $69,830 |
| 7 | Salinas, CA | $69,680 |
| 8 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $68,750 |
| 9 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,520 |
| 10 | Stockton, CA | $68,340 |
| 11 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $68,100 |
| 12 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | $67,890 |
| 13 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $66,820 |
| 14 | Anchorage, AK | $65,300 |
| 15 | Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $64,200 |
LPN Salary by Work Setting
Where you work as an LPN affects your pay. Here's how median salaries break down by employer type:
| Work Setting | Median Salary | % of LPN Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Government (state, local, federal) | $62,810 | 6% |
| Hospitals (state, local, private) | $56,210 | 14% |
| Home health services | $55,970 | 12% |
| Nursing & residential care facilities | $54,600 | 36% |
| Physician offices | $49,520 | 10% |
| Outpatient care centers | $53,430 | 5% |
Government positions pay the most but make up a small share of total LPN jobs. Nursing homes employ the largest number of LPNs but pay below the national median. Home health is a growing sector with competitive pay and flexible scheduling.
LPN vs CNA vs RN: Salary Comparison
How does the LPN salary stack up against related nursing roles? Here's a side-by-side comparison:
| Factor | CNA | LPN | RN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $38,200 | $59,730 | $86,070 |
| Hourly Wage | $18.37 | $28.72 | $41.38 |
| Education | 4–12 week certificate | 12–18 month certificate | 2–4 year degree (ADN/BSN) |
| Licensure Exam | State competency exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-RN |
| Job Growth (2022–2032) | 4% | 5% | 6% |
| Annual Openings | 220,200 | 58,800 | 193,100 |
The LPN role sits squarely between CNA and RN in terms of education, pay, and scope. It's the ideal middle step — significantly more pay than a CNA for less than half the schooling of an RN. Many LPNs later advance through LPN-to-RN bridge programs to reach that $86K median.
How to Increase Your LPN Salary
If you're already an LPN — or planning to become one — here are proven strategies to maximize your earning potential:
Earn specialty certifications
Certifications in IV therapy, wound care, gerontology, pharmacology, or long-term care demonstrate advanced skills and typically add $2,000 to $5,000 in annual salary. The NAPNES and NFLPN offer nationally recognized LPN specialty credentials.
Work evening, night, or weekend shifts
Shift differentials add 10% to 20% to your base hourly rate. Night shifts at nursing homes and hospitals often pay the highest premiums, and weekend-only schedules (Baylor plans) can offer full-time pay for fewer days.
Relocate to a higher-paying state or metro
A move from Mississippi ($42,720) to Arizona ($60,200) represents a 41% salary increase. Factor in cost of living — the COL-adjusted table above shows where your dollar goes furthest.
Choose the right employer
Government positions pay a $62,810 median — 15% above the national average. Staffing agencies and travel LPN assignments can also pay significantly more than permanent positions, especially during shortage periods.
Advance to RN
The single biggest salary lever is advancing your credentials. LPN-to-RN bridge programs take 1 to 2 years and boost your median salary from $59,730 to $86,070 — a $26,340 annual increase.
Considering the LPN career path? Our MA to LPN guide covers the transition for medical assistants, and the state-by-state directory lists accredited programs in every state.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Salary
What is the average LPN salary?
The national median salary for Licensed Practical Nurses is $59,730 per year ($28.72 per hour) as of May 2024 BLS data. The mean (average) salary is slightly higher at $60,490. The middle 50% of LPNs earn between $48,300 (25th percentile) and $64,580 (75th percentile).
Which state pays LPNs the most?
California pays LPNs the highest median salary at $67,010 per year, followed by Washington ($66,540) and Massachusetts ($65,680). However, cost of living matters — when adjusted for purchasing power, states like Nevada, Arizona, and Texas often offer better real-world value.
Do LPNs make more than CNAs?
Yes, significantly. The median LPN salary is $59,730 compared to $38,200 for CNAs — a difference of over $21,500 per year. LPNs also have a broader scope of practice, including medication administration and IV therapy, which justifies the higher pay. The extra 6 to 12 months of education pays for itself within the first year.
Can LPNs make $60,000 a year?
Yes. The national median is just under $60,000, and LPNs in 25 states earn median salaries at or above that threshold. Overtime, shift differentials (evening and night shifts typically pay 10-15% more), and specialty certifications can push total compensation well above $60,000 even in lower-paying states.
How much do LPNs make per hour?
The national median hourly wage for LPNs is $28.72. Hourly rates range from $21.57 at the 10th percentile to $37.49 at the 90th percentile. In the highest-paying states like California, median hourly pay exceeds $32 per hour.
Ready to Earn an LPN Salary?
Find accredited LPN programs in your area and start your nursing career. Compare schools, costs, and schedules.