Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary by State
Compare Licensed Practical Nurse salaries across all 51 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, supplemented by real-time job posting salary data for current market comparison.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
for accuracy.
BLS Data vs. Current Job Postings
Compare official BLS survey data (2025) with real-time salary data from 79 recent job postings across 10 states.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Rankings — All States
Key Insights: The Cost of Living Reality
While Washington offers the highest raw salary for LPNs at $83,150, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 115.1). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a LPN in Illinois making a raw median salary of $75,000 enjoys a COL index of 95.6, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $78,452 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $40.34 | $83,150 | $72,242 | +33% |
| #2 | Alaska | $38.46 | $80,800 | $65,109 | +30% |
| #3 | Oregon | $39.15 | $80,470 | $70,899 | +29% |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $38.11 | $80,220 | $60,957 | +29% |
| #5 | Rhode Island | $38.52 | $80,090 | $70,876 | +28% |
| #6 | California | $39.59 | $79,750 | $56,083 | +28% |
| #7 | New Hampshire | $36.81 | $77,110 | $68,603 | +24% |
| #8 | Arizona | $36.60 | $77,070 | $75,411 | +24% |
| #9 | Nevada | $35.81 | $76,160 | $73,090 | +22% |
| #10 | District of Columbia | $35.59 | $75,740 | $49,796 | +21% |
| #11 | New Jersey | $35.86 | $75,160 | $65,243 | +21% |
| #12 | Illinois | $35.30 | $75,000 | $78,452 | +20% |
| #13 | Maryland | $35.66 | $74,660 | $66,542 | +20% |
| #14 | Colorado | $34.05 | $73,880 | $70,295 | +19% |
| #15 | Connecticut | $34.89 | $73,690 | $65,328 | +18% |
| #16 | Maine | $34.67 | $73,200 | $65,650 | +17% |
| #17 | Hawaii | $34.41 | $71,140 | $37,052 | +14% |
| #18 | Vermont | $33.71 | $69,930 | $60,862 | +12% |
| #19 | Delaware | $33.42 | $68,710 | $66,579 | +10% |
| #20 | New York | $33.26 | $67,180 | $48,296 | +8% |
| #21 | Indiana | $31.66 | $65,720 | $72,619 | +5% |
| #22 | Michigan | $32.37 | $65,460 | $71,619 | +5% |
| #23 | Virginia | $31.88 | $64,920 | $62,725 | +4% |
| #24 | Pennsylvania | $31.70 | $63,940 | $65,112 | +3% |
| #25 | Idaho | $30.70 | $63,800 | $64,121 | +2% |
| #26 | Wisconsin | $31.67 | $63,760 | $68,412 | +2% |
| #27 | Minnesota | $31.20 | $63,750 | $65,722 | +2% |
| #28 | Wyoming | $30.44 | $63,460 | $67,727 | +2% |
| #29 | North Carolina | $30.64 | $63,270 | $67,166 | +1% |
| #30 | Utah | $29.86 | $63,230 | $61,688 | +1% |
| #31 | Nebraska | $31.04 | $62,660 | $67,814 | +1% |
| #32 | Iowa | $30.49 | $62,630 | $70,056 | Avg |
| #33 | North Dakota | $29.92 | $62,300 | $66,347 | Avg |
| #34 | Texas | $30.18 | $62,240 | $67,286 | Avg |
| #35 | Montana | $29.98 | $62,210 | $62,712 | Avg |
| #36 | Georgia | $29.64 | $62,030 | $69,540 | Avg |
| #37 | Ohio | $29.82 | $61,950 | $67,484 | -1% |
| #38 | South Carolina | $30.37 | $61,820 | $65,557 | -1% |
| #39 | Florida | $29.88 | $61,770 | $60,088 | -1% |
| #40 | Kansas | $30.12 | $61,760 | $70,664 | -1% |
| #41 | Missouri | $30.00 | $61,530 | $68,519 | -1% |
| #42 | Kentucky | $29.07 | $60,460 | $67,178 | -3% |
| #43 | New Mexico | $28.19 | $59,330 | $63,455 | -5% |
| #44 | Tennessee | $27.15 | $58,870 | $65,266 | -6% |
| #45 | Oklahoma | $27.31 | $58,320 | $66,575 | -6% |
| #46 | Louisiana | $27.21 | $57,470 | $62,467 | -8% |
| #47 | Alabama | $26.59 | $57,030 | $64,733 | -9% |
| #48 | Arkansas | $26.77 | $56,620 | $65,155 | -9% |
| #49 | West Virginia | $27.02 | $55,360 | $63,052 | -11% |
| #50 | South Dakota | $26.44 | $52,750 | $56,357 | -15% |
| #51 | Mississippi | $24.74 | $50,220 | $59,222 | -19% |
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)—known in some states as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)—is a healthcare professional who provides essential nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. Functioning as the "central nervous system" of the bedside, an LPN is the primary advocate who spends the most consistent time with the patient, noticing the minute changes that others might miss. In the trenches of a long-term care facility or a busy clinic, the clinical weight of the job is felt in your ability to balance technical skills like wound care and medication administration with the deep emotional support patients need during their recovery. You are the heartbeat of the unit, ensuring that the care plan isn't just a document, but a living, breathing reality for the person in the bed.
The path to becoming an LPN is a focused sprint, typically requiring the completion of a Practical Nursing diploma or certificate from an accredited technical school or community college. To enter the workforce, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam to secure your state licensure. In 2026, the landscape of practical nursing has shifted toward higher clinical autonomy; we are now utilizing AI-enhanced monitoring tools to track patient vitals and participating in sophisticated telehealth coordination for home-bound populations. This modern scope of practice means LPNs are increasingly involved in specialized diagnostics and chronic disease management, serving as tech-savvy clinicians who bridge the gap between high-tech medical data and hands-on patient comfort.
An LPN license is a true professional "passport," offering incredible flexibility to design a career that fits your life. Whether you prefer the fast-paced environment of urgent care, the specialized focus of a dialysis center, or the leadership opportunities found in home health management, your skills are the currency of the healthcare industry. Many of us find this role to be the perfect "bridge" career, providing a solid clinical foundation before transitioning into an LPN-to-RN bridge program. Because the demand for skilled practical nurses continues to grow across every state, this credential gives you the power to choose your environment—from quiet outpatient settings to high-energy sub-acute units—while making a tangible, life-saving impact every single shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Licensed Practical Nurse salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is $62,340 per year, or approximately $32.12 per hour based on 2025 BLS data.
Which state pays Licensed Practical Nurses the most?
Washington offers the highest Licensed Practical Nurse salary at $83,150 per year, while Mississippi is the lowest at $50,220.
What is the starting salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $52,425. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $80,152 annually.
Does the highest paying state for LPNs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While Washington offers the highest raw salary at $83,150, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like Illinois and Arizona often provide a better financial return for LPNs.
How much does a Licensed Practical Nurse make an hour?
On a national level, a Licensed Practical Nurse makes a median of $32.12 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $25.20 for new graduates up to $38.53 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Licensed Practical Nurse make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $93,600, a Licensed Practical Nurse averages $62,340. This premium compensation reflects the advanced Certificate or Diploma degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.