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
