The honest answer to “how much do LPNs make” is that LPN pay is significantly better than CNA pay but still modest compared to RN pay. The BLS median for LPNs is roughly $59,730–$63,540 per year, or about $28–$30 per hour. But whether you earn $45,000 or $67,000 depends on four things: your state, your setting, your shift, and your certifications.
This guide breaks down what LPNs are actually earning in 2026 and gives you the numbers you need to compare offers honestly.
The national picture
- BLS median annual: ~$59,730–$63,540 for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses nationally.
- Median hourly: roughly $28–$30/hr.
- Top decile: over $67,000/year, concentrated in high cost-of-living states and hospital settings.
- Bottom decile: $45,000–$50,000, mostly in Deep South states and rural long-term-care facilities.
For the most current numbers, search “BLS OEWS licensed practical nurses” — that’s the dataset every other site republishes. Indeed and ZipRecruiter numbers are usually higher than reality because they oversample listings trying to attract candidates.
By state: where LPNs earn the most (and least)
| Tier | Approx. annual range | Representative states |
|---|---|---|
| Top | $60k–$67k+ | California, Washington, Massachusetts, Alaska, Connecticut, Oregon |
| Upper-mid | $55k–$60k | New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Minnesota, Colorado, Rhode Island |
| Middle | $50k–$55k | Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Texas, Florida |
| Lower-mid | $47k–$50k | Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia |
| Bottom | $45k–$48k | Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, South Dakota |
The cost-of-living catch. California leads at ~$67k but has some of the highest living costs in the country. An LPN earning $52k in Indianapolis may have more disposable income than one earning $67k in San Francisco. Use the MIT Living Wage Calculator to compare across states if you’re considering a move.
By setting: SNF vs. hospital vs. physician office vs. home health
- Hospital. Highest LPN pay in most markets, with better benefits and shift differentials. Hospital LPNs typically earn $2–$5/hr more than SNF LPNs. Harder to break into — usually requires 1+ year of experience and, in many states, IV therapy certification.
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF). The largest employer of LPNs. Pay is mid-range but steady, and SNFs hire new grads readily. Many offer tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
- Physician office / outpatient clinic. Pay varies widely. Large multi-provider practices often pay competitively. Small offices may pay at or below SNF rates. The trade-off is more predictable hours (no nights, no weekends in many practices).
- Home health. Hourly rates can look competitive ($30–$35/hr in some markets), but you’re often unpaid for drive time between patients. Real annualized pay is usually lower than the hourly suggests.
The CNA-to-LPN pay jump
If you’re a CNA considering an LPN program, here’s the math. CNAs typically earn $35,000–$45,000 nationally. LPNs earn $50,000–$63,000. That’s a $15,000–$20,000 annual raise — roughly $7–$10 more per hour — for completing a 12–18 month program that costs $5,000–$15,000 at most community colleges.
The payback period is short. Even at the conservative end, you recoup the program cost in 6–12 months of LPN wages. Many SNFs offer tuition reimbursement for CNA-to-LPN programs, reducing the out-of-pocket cost further.
The LPN-to-RN pay jump
Here’s the honest framing: LPN pay is better than CNA pay, but the real financial transformation comes from bridging to RN. RNs typically earn $75,000–$95,000+ nationally — that’s a $25,000–$35,000 annual raise over LPN pay. LPN-to-RN bridge programs (ADN or BSN) take 1–2 years and many employers will pay for them.
The career ladder is clear: CNA ($35–$45k) → LPN ($50–$63k) → RN ($75–$95k+). Each step requires additional training, but each step also delivers a meaningful pay increase. Many LPNs use the LPN role as a paid stepping stone — earning LPN wages while completing an RN bridge program.
Shift differentials and overtime
- Evening shift (3p–11p): typically $1.50–$3/hr extra.
- Night shift (11p–7a): typically $2.50–$5/hr extra. The biggest single lever on your hourly pay without changing jobs.
- Weekend differential: $1–$3/hr extra, often stacked on top of evening or night.
- Holiday pay: often time-and-a-half or double-time.
An LPN working full-time nights with a $4/hr night differential earns roughly $8,000–$8,500 more per year. That’s meaningful — it’s the difference between the bottom and middle of the salary table above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average LPN salary in 2026?
The BLS median for LPNs is roughly $59,730–$63,540 annually, with hourly rates typically in the $28–$30 range. This varies significantly by state and setting. California tops the list near $67,000, while some Deep South states fall in the $45,000–$50,000 range.
How much more do LPNs make than CNAs?
The CNA-to-LPN pay jump is typically $15,000–$20,000 per year, or roughly $7–$10 more per hour. An LPN completing a 12–18 month program and passing NCLEX-PN can expect to earn roughly 40–50% more than they did as a CNA.
Is LPN pay worth the training investment?
Financially, yes — but with an honest caveat. The $15k–$20k annual raise over CNA pay is real, and LPN programs are relatively affordable. But LPN pay is still modest compared to RN pay. The real financial value of becoming an LPN is often as a stepping stone to RN via a bridge program, which adds another $25k–$35k in annual earnings.
Which setting pays LPNs the most?
Hospitals and outpatient surgical centers typically pay the highest LPN hourly rates. SNFs are the largest employer but pay slightly less. Physician offices vary widely. Home health LPN pay can look high hourly but often has unpaid drive time.