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 healthcare agencies, hospitals, and assisted living centers. As of May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that more than 630,000 LPNs and LVNs were employed in the U.S. The BLS further estimated that, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for LPNs and LVNs was $60,790 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 2023 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
| Best Paying States | |
| California | $76,580 |
| Rhode Island | $75,470 |
| Washington | $75,410 |
| Alaska | $74,260 |
| Massachusetts | $73,400 |
| New Hampshire | $71,770 |
| Maine | $71,430 |
| Oregon | $71,180 |
| Connecticut | $68,150 |
| District of Columbia | $68,120 |
| Worst Paying States | |
| Georgia | $55,090 |
| Idaho | $54,600 |
| Oklahoma | $51,880 |
| Louisiana | $51,700 |
| Tennessee | $50,430 |
| West Virginia | $50,090 |
| South Dakota | $49,580 |
| Arkansas | $49,360 |
| Mississippi | $49,050 |
| Alabama | $48,320 |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 28, 2024
