Licensed practical nurses (LPN), or licensed vocational nurses (LVN) as they are known in some states, work in varied healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, home health care agencies, hospitals, and assisted living centers.  As of May 2021,  the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that more than 641,000 LPNs and LVNs were employed in the U.S.  The BLS further estimated that, as of May 2021, the national mean wage for LPNs and LVNs was $51,850 per year.  From state to state there was considerable variation in the average annual wages earned by LPNs and LVNs, with practitioners in some regions of the country earning 50% or more than their counterparts elsewhere.  A deeper examination of BLS data as of May 2021 reveals the following as the ten best and worst states for licensed practical nurse pay.

The Best and Worst States for Licensed Practical Nurse Pay

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CA	72,180	$65,140	1st
AK	480	$63,650	2nd
WA	7,110	$63,250	3rd
MA	15,500	$61,820	4th
NV	3,610	$60,490	5th
OR	3,520	$60,090	6th
RI	1,100	$59,800	7th
CT	8,350	$59,440	8th
NH	2,080	$59,140	9th
NJ	17,200	$58,590	10th
U.S.	641,240	$51,850	-------
SC	9,270	$46,470	42nd
MO	13,620	$46,010	43rd
OK	12,150	$44,910	44th
LA	18,120	$43,900	45th
TN	22,780	$43,620	46th
AR	10,480	$43,040	47th
SD	2,040	$41,830	48th
AL	10,400	$41,540	49th
MS	8,730	$41,530	50th
WV	6,190	$41,310	51st

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on August 3, 2022