How Much Does an LPN Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$64,400
LPNs in the U.S. earn a median of $64,400 a year, or $30.96 an hour. Half of LPNs earn more than $64,400 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $83,440.
Pay percentiles for LPNs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23.91 | $49,740 |
| 25th | $28.37 | $59,000 |
| 50th (median) | $30.96 | $64,400 |
| 75th | $36.55 | $76,030 |
| 90th | $40.12 | $83,440 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for LPNs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 | $39.98 | +29% |
| Alaska | $80,800 | $38.85 | +25% |
| Oregon | $80,470 | $38.69 | +25% |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 | $38.57 | +25% |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 | $38.51 | +24% |
| California | $79,750 | $38.34 | +24% |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 | $37.07 | +20% |
| Arizona | $77,070 | $37.05 | +20% |
| Nevada | $76,160 | $36.62 | +18% |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 | $36.42 | +18% |
| United States | $64,400 | $30.96 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many LPNs are there?
BLS counts about 648,410 LPNs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses”. The most jobs are in California (82,850), Texas (57,560) and Ohio (39,900).
The mean (average) annual wage is $67,050, higher than the median of $64,400.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,367
- Biweekly
- $2,477
- Weekly
- $1,238
- Daily (8 hours)
- $248
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do LPNs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for LPNs is $30.96. The middle 50% earn between $28.37 and $36.55 an hour.
Which state pays LPNs the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for LPNs at $83,150, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for LPNs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of LPNs earn less than $49,740 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.