What is the pay rate for a LPN ?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I'm starting nursing school and I have had others tell me that LPN don't make but like $10.00 an hour. And I'm thinking they are way wrong I. What they are saying.

Much depends on what you want to do in nursing, regarding whether an RN or an LVN/LPN is a better choice. Pay scales vary HUGELY, and vary depending on setting.

Many areas of the country have a saturation of new graduate nurses, be it RN or LPN; when it comes to picking and choosing, many employers have the ability to hire RNs for what they used to offer LPNs simply because the job is open and it is EASY to fill.

Also, if you wish to work in acute care (read: hospitals) you might find it very difficult to obtain employment. It's true that LPN new grads can get hired into a hospital position, but it's also true that this is now the exception, not the rule. Some specialty units in hospitals that still hire LPNs do not use them in those units, however.

LTC and private practices are probably the biggest employers of LPNs. If this sounds good to you, and you are ok with potentially not working in a hospital setting, then you should take whatever route YOU want to take to become a nurse. Just become a GOOD one, 'k? :)

Thank you so much for your advice, and the information that you have provided me with. As for now I know LPN is my starting point in nursing, I hope to further my education in the nursing and one day have my BSN. Just taking it one step at a time for now and seeing where God wants me to go. 😊

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It depends on location and specialty. LPN's working in hospitals and doctor offices do not make a lot $12-14 (here in VA). But nursing homes base pay around $16, psych centers $18, assisted living $18, correctional facilities $19 and veteran hospitals $15. But then you need to factor in weekend, night, holiday and overtime shift differentials which are between $1.50-6.00. Don't fall for the hype that LPN's are being done away with, because they are needed. They are being let go from hospitals but hired constantly everywhere else. I'm a CNA but will be starting LPN school next month, and my employer already told me that I would be making $21-24 after shift diffs. So if those people are being truthful with you about LPN's making $10 you need to relocate.

Thank you so much for your advice, and information. (I'm moving to where you are....lol) I really think the girls that told me that where just straight up mean and thinking they where top dog. And thank you for saying that LPNs are still needed really helps me knowing that I have made the right choice in going to nursing school. Good luck to you also with school.

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My first job as an LPN out of school was in at family clinic in Panama City, FL and I was making $10/hr. I do know that other people were making more. I have since moved to AR, where I am from originally, and started off at $12.50/hr at family practice. I now make $14/hr at the same job, but I did have to put my notice in and almost quit before being given a raise. The pay depends on your area and the specialty that you are working in. I know that the LTC facilites around here are starting LPNs off at $17-18/hr. I am currently looking for other employment.

Thank you so much, for the information that you have provided. I'm hoping to further my education in nursing, and get my BSN. But just seeing where god sends me for now.

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I've heard the same thing so many times from RN students and it makes me so mad! Don't let anyone get you down, a nurse is a nurse. By doing my LPN first, I can get more experience when I start on my RN. To me, that's worth it. LPN or RN, it's not about title, it's about your desire to do your job well and help people that need you.

Thank you so much for saying this so glad I'm not the only one that has had to put up with this. You don't know how much this helps me, Just like when I started out as a CNA then CMA those where starting points in my healthcare career. And now LPN is my next step, it my take some time to get to where I want to be in nursing but each step of the way is a starting point. And the way I see it is nursing is not just about the pay its all in what you do for others help change a life or make a difference in someone's life. Good luck to you as well.

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Ignore them and be happy for yourself, and continue to give excellent care. You are a nurse with different credentials and scope of Pratice .

Thank you so much for your advice and words of encouragement. You have truly brightened my day, bless you.

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Thank you all so much to everyone that has posted and gave me advice and information on your pay rate for your job and the area that you are in. I'm just taking small steps in my nursing career, I was the girl that came from a very poor family with a single mom that became addicted to drugs and a father that never played the part he was suppose too. To being moved around from one place to another. To being raised by grandfather, and being told I would never graduate highschool. But I did and I did all that even though I lost my mother when I was 18 to a drug overdose, and losing a baby all the same week. Then finding out I was pregnant again graduating highschool 9 months pregnant. And going on and working as a CNA, and then having another child and then going back to school to start on medical assisting. Then becoming pregnant with my last child and still going to school full time all while taking care of my three girls. And then graduating with my degree in medical assisting. And then now starting nursing school in the fall. I know it has taken me some time to get where I am today, and when I start something I don't stop!! And don't give up to easily. So this girl may have started out small but I'm going to reach the top one day. ;) nursing is something I'm very passionate about and love and I want to be that advocate for that patient that can not talk for themselves or that little girl that is watching her mommy or daddy abusing drugs and no one listening to her. I'm not in for the pay, I know it helps to make good money. But I'm truly in because I want to go to work every day and know that I love my job and love what I'm doing.

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Specializes in hospice.

Whew! Girl you have clawed your way outta some ****! Good job and GO GET IT!

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Whew! Girl you have clawed your way outta some ****! Good job and GO GET IT!

I sure have lol, thank you so much!! ������

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It is not! I'll post the job with the pay. Y'all need to stop selling this young lady false dreams telling her LPN's make the amount y'all are saying.

I'm not sure who you are replying too but in Florida (not the best paying state by far) I've seen as low as $15/16 an hour for private duty home care nursing or the mid twenties per hour for LTC. It all depends on what type of setting and more so location.

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Specializes in hospice.
I'm not sure who you are replying too but in Florida (not the best paying state by far) I've seen as low as $15/16 an hour for private duty home care nursing or the mid twenties per hour for LTC. It all depends on what type of setting and more so location.

Yep. Arizona is not a great paying state either, yet I personally know of a brand new LPN working in a state prison making $26 an hour. That's new grad RN money in most places here.

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Specializes in Pediatric.

Hi, I graduated from Gateway's FastTrack LPN program Dec 2013, and have been working as a pediatric nurse in home health for 21.00 an hour in Phx. I'm now in block 3 for my RN.. graduate in Dec. I'm 57 yrs old... #nevergiveup! #followyourdreams #youcandoit!

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The worst part of being an LPN is people constantly asking if I want to go back to school. Consider this, in most programs (all I think?) if you fail a nursing course, you are out of the program. Money and time wasted. Why do you want to risk taking so many more courses with the possibility of failing? Keeping in mind, of course, that failing in most programs is below a 76%. I make 2.5x what your friends quoted my first job right out of school. Also, the LPN program I attended could not have realistically been easier. People fail out of RN programs all the time. If you have to work and support yourself while in school an LPN program is appropriate. If you are young, right out of high school, and you will be financially taken care of, I would recommend an RN program.

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