Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in 2026
How Much Do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Make?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn a median annual salary of $62,340 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,960 at the 10th percentile to $80,510 at the 90th percentile — a range of $32,550. The highest-paying state is Washington at $79,700.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,960 |
| 25th percentile | $55,220 |
| Median (50th) | $62,340 |
| 75th percentile | $73,160 |
| 90th percentile | $80,510 |
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $79,700 |
| Rhode Island | $77,940 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| California | $77,170 |
| Oregon | $76,570 |
| Massachusetts | $76,560 |
| New Hampshire | $74,660 |
| Arizona | $74,020 |
| Nevada | $73,820 |
| New Jersey | $71,180 |
| Maine | $70,870 |
| District of Columbia | $70,420 |
| Maryland | $69,870 |
| Connecticut | $69,130 |
| Colorado | $67,480 |
| Delaware | $66,090 |
| Illinois | $66,030 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 |
| Vermont | $64,560 |
| New York | $64,030 |
| Michigan | $63,810 |
| Indiana | $63,690 |
| Virginia | $62,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,010 |
| Wyoming | $61,880 |
| Idaho | $61,720 |
| Utah | $61,710 |
| North Carolina | $61,380 |
| Wisconsin | $61,040 |
| Ohio | $60,990 |
| Minnesota | $60,870 |
| North Dakota | $60,820 |
| New Mexico | $60,760 |
| Nebraska | $60,740 |
| Texas | $60,150 |
| Florida | $60,080 |
| Kansas | $59,920 |
| Montana | $59,750 |
| Iowa | $59,460 |
| South Carolina | $59,050 |
| Missouri | $59,030 |
| Georgia | $58,490 |
| Kentucky | $58,450 |
| Oklahoma | $55,870 |
| Tennessee | $54,530 |
| Louisiana | $53,930 |
| Arkansas | $51,030 |
| Alabama | $50,100 |
| West Virginia | $49,850 |
| South Dakota | $49,170 |
| Mississippi | $48,850 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,960 – $55,220 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,340 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$73,160 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,510+ |
How to Earn More as a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $92,840 — $30,500 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($73,160) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursethis career | $62,340 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 29-2061.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.