Pay difference?

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I'm thinking of getting into nursing as an RN. Around where I live it's easier to get into an LVN program so I'm thinking of doing that first. What is the pay difference? Around here the starting wage for an RN seems to be $30 an hour give or take a few $s. How much less could I expect for a LVN salary?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I could answer your question if I knew which state you were living in.

LPN/LVN pay varies from region to region. It could be as little as $11 per hour in rural Oklahoma or as much as $30 hourly in San Francisco. The average LVN/LPN pay is $15 to $20 per hour.

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I'm in Sacramento. I know it will vary. I'm mostly interested in knowing what the average difference is so I can subtract it from the RN numbers I'm coming up with. Anything helps though. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.
I'm in Sacramento. I know it will vary. I'm mostly interested in knowing what the average difference is so I can subtract it from the RN numbers I'm coming up with. Anything helps though. Thanks!

I've heard that it's about $10 less an hour than RN wages for any given area.

ETA: This is what I've heard for new grad RNs vs new grad LPNs if they're starting work without previous nursing experience.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I live in the midwest and work in LTC. Made $19/hr as an LPN w/ 19 years experience. Got a whooping $1.25/hr raise when I got my RN. Still glad I did it though.

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Thank you for the info.

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I live in the midwest and work in LTC. Made $19/hr as an LPN w/ 19 years experience. Got a whooping $1.25/hr raise when I got my RN. Still glad I did it though.

Being an RN did make a difference because after 19 yrs of RN experience, you wouln't of been making only $19 an hour. Some facillities do give a little extra for years of LPN experience but I think they consider you a new RN since you were an LPN prior, regardless of how long. You had never worked in the RN role.

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It really varies.......My best friend in El Paso, TX is currently making $25 per hour (LPN). I'm an RN in PA making $24 per hour. Of course, that $25/hr is highly unusual IMHO.

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