Average Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary
Average Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), provide essential nursing care and comfort to patients. However, their responsibilities generally do not include more complex tasks like administering medications or creating patient care plans, which are typically handled by registered nurses.
As of 2025, the average annual salary for an LPN in the United States is $51,850, which equates to an hourly wage of $24.93.
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Top-Paying States for LPNs
The salary of LPNs varies significantly based on specialty, licensure, experience, and geographic factors, including the cost of living and job market conditions. The states that offer the highest average annual wages for LPNs are influenced by these factors.
The highest-paying state for LPNs in 2025 is California, where the average salary is $65,140. Following closely are Alaska at $63,650 and Washington at $63,250.
Here are the Top 10 highest-paying states for LPNs:
- California – $65,140
- Alaska – $63,650
- Washington – $63,250
- Massachusetts – $61,820
- Nevada – $60,490
- Oregon – $60,090
- Rhode Island – $59,800
- Connecticut – $59,440
- New Hampshire – $59,140
- New Jersey – $58,590
Top-Paying Cities for LPNs
When it comes to cities, the top-paying locations for LPNs are primarily in California, with some cities offering significant salaries due to higher living costs:
- Napa, CA – $76,890
- San Jose, CA – $75,880
- San Francisco, CA – $75,410
- Santa Rosa, CA – $71,180
- Vallejo, CA – $70,720
- San Luis Obispo, CA – $68,940
- Santa Cruz, CA – $66,800
- Seattle, WA – $66,380
- Sacramento, CA – $66,090
- Carson City, NV – $65,460
Other Notable Locations for LPN Salaries
In addition to the cities above, you can find varying LPN salaries in areas such as Albuquerque, NM, Anaheim, CA, Anchorage, AK, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, and Billings, MT.
LPNs vs. RNs Salary Comparison
LPNs play an essential role in healthcare, with over 600,000 employed in the U.S. The demand for LPNs is expected to increase by 10.7% in the coming years. However, despite the critical nature of their work, LPNs earn approximately 37% less than their registered nurse (RN) counterparts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salaries for various nursing positions in 2025 are as follows:
- Nurse Anesthetists – $202,470
- Nurse Practitioners – $118,040
- Nurse Midwives – $114,210
- Registered Nurses – $82,750
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) – $51,850
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