Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay & Requirements (2026)
Advertised pay, starting pay, skills and experience from 34,229 US job postings by 6,744 employers. Data as of October 2026.
What US employers post for licensed practical nurses: advertised pay, the skills and experience they ask for, and the job titles they use, from 34,229 open job postings (October 2026).
- The median advertised pay for licensed practical nurses in US job postings is $32.65 an hour (7,402 postings from 1,785 employers, October 2026).
- The middle half of those postings offer $29.50 to $36.70 an hour.
- Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $32.50 an hour (2,477 postings).
- The skills that most set licensed practical nurse postings apart are compassionate, medication administration, wound care.
- Postings that state a minimum ask for a median of 1 year of experience.
Licensed Practical Nurse job postings in the US, October 2026
- $32.65/hr
- Median advertised pay (7,402 postings)
- $29.50–$36.70
- Middle 50% of postings
- $32.50/hr
- Starting pay (postings asking up to 1 year)
- 34,229
- US job postings from 6,744 employers
How much does a licensed practical nurse make an hour?
The median advertised pay is $32.65 an hour, from 7,402 US job postings by 1,785 employers that state pay. That is about $68,000 a year at 2,080 hours.
Advertised pay in 7,402 US licensed practical nurse job postings: median $68,000 a year ($32.65 an hour), middle half $61,000 to $76,000.
- Median: $68,000 ($32.65/hr)
- 25th percentile: $61,000
- 75th percentile: $76,000
The figures as a table
| Annual pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| $10K–$20K | 0.0% |
| $20K–$30K | 0.0% |
| $30K–$40K | 0.5% |
| $40K–$50K | 3.9% |
| $50K–$60K | 18.0% |
| $60K–$70K | 35.8% |
| $70K–$80K | 24.1% |
| $80K–$90K | 12.9% |
| $90K–$100K | 2.7% |
| $100K–$110K | 0.7% |
| $110K–$120K | 0.3% |
| $120K–$130K | 0.4% |
Midpoint of each posting's pay range, hourly pay × 2,080 hours; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
| Median | Middle 50% | Postings | Most common titles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postings that state an hourly rate | $32.65 | $29.50–$36.70 | 4,706 | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN |
| Postings that state an annual salary | $65,000 | $58K–$73K | 316 | LPN, Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse |
| All pay postings, annualised | $68,000 | $61K–$76K | 7,402 | – |
For comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median annual wage of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061) at $64,000 (May 2025). Postings advertise pay; the BLS measures what people earn, across all employers and levels.
What is the starting salary for a licensed practical nurse?
Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $32.50 an hour (2,477 postings).
| Experience asked | Median advertised pay | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 years | $32.50/hr | 2,477 |
| 2-4 years | $32.36/hr | 551 |
| 5+ years | withheld | 28 |
Highest-paying licensed practical nurse jobs
Specializations with at least 250 postings that state pay.
| Specialization | Median pay | Postings with pay | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | $33.46/hr | 795 | 204 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $33.00/hr | 1,980 | 773 |
| Home Health LPN | $32.97/hr | 539 | 84 |
| LPN | $32.00/hr | 1,632 | 413 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (general) | $31.74/hr | 1,848 | 538 |
Licensed practical nurse pay by state
Single-location US postings; states with at least 100 postings that state pay. States with pay-transparency laws (such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington) are over-represented among postings that state pay.
| State | Median pay | Middle 50% | Postings with pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $38.44/hr | $36.03–$40.14 | 246 | 2.5% |
| California | $35.50/hr | $31.93–$39.50 | 553 | 6.6% |
| New Jersey | $34.00/hr | $32.00–$36.44 | 278 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | $33.89/hr | $32.50–$39.00 | 234 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | $33.80/hr | $31.50–$36.00 | 278 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $33.00/hr | $30.81–$36.01 | 489 | 6.9% |
| New York | $32.50/hr | $29.00–$37.50 | 898 | 8.2% |
| Virginia | $32.50/hr | $29.56–$34.03 | 174 | 2.1% |
| Missouri | $32.00/hr | $30.00–$35.45 | 111 | 2.5% |
| Georgia | $31.50/hr | $27.67–$34.38 | 143 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | $31.50/hr | $29.75–$33.00 | 208 | 3.8% |
| Indiana | $31.05/hr | $28.50–$37.94 | 170 | 2.6% |
| Minnesota | $30.31/hr | $27.75–$31.88 | 145 | 1.8% |
| Florida | $30.00/hr | $27.93–$31.75 | 248 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | $29.50/hr | $26.50–$34.00 | 197 | 3.7% |
| Texas | $29.00/hr | $28.00–$33.00 | 192 | 6.0% |
| Tennessee | $28.62/hr | $26.50–$33.21 | 170 | 3.2% |
Skills employers ask for in licensed practical nurse job postings
| Skill | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| Communication | 27% |
| Compassionate | 19% |
| Interpersonal skills | 13% |
| Organizational skills | 11% |
| Teamwork | 7% |
| Attention to detail | 6% |
| Medication administration | 6% |
| Work independently | 5% |
| Customer service | 5% |
| Problem-solving | 5% |
Skills named in the posting text; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026. Methodology.
Skills that set licensed practical nurses apart
- Compassionate6.6× as often as in all postings · 19%
- Medication administration22.6× as often as in all postings · 6%
Skills named in at least 5% of these postings and at least 3 times as often as in job postings overall.
Have a licensed practical nurse job posting in front of you? See which of its skills your resume is missing.
What does a licensed practical nurse do?
| Duty | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Administer medications and treatments as ordered | 30% |
| Monitor patients and report changes in condition | 28% |
| Maintain accurate documentation of patient care | 28% |
| Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on patient care | 20% |
| Develop and implement individualized care plans | 16% |
| Communicate with patients, families and care team | 14% |
| Provide direct patient care | 13% |
| Take and record vital signs | 10% |
From the bullet lists of 1,254 postings by 1,214 employers; items grouped by meaning and counted once per employer.
Employers post these jobs as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), LPN, Licensed Vocational Nurse, LVN, Licensed Practical Nurse LPN and other titles. The largest specializations are Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (22%), LPN (19%), Licensed Vocational Nurse (13%), RN/LPN (3%), Home Health LPN (6%), Charge Nurse - LVN or RN (2%).
The closest official occupation is Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061.00). Its most important tasks:
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
- Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
What employers ask for in licensed practical nurse job postings
| Requirement | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license | 53% |
| CPR or BLS certification | 30% |
| Graduate of an accredited nursing program | 19% |
| Prior nursing experience preferred | 16% |
| At least one year of experience | 16% |
| Communication and interpersonal skills | 14% |
| Written and verbal communication skills | 10% |
| Compassionate, patient-centered approach to care | 9% |
| Computer and electronic health record skills | 7% |
| Organizational and time management skills | 7% |
| Ability to work independently | 6% |
| Knowledge of nursing practice and long-term care regulations | 6% |
From the bullet lists of 1,254 postings by 1,214 employers; items grouped by meaning and counted once per employer.
13% of postings state a lifting requirement; the median is 50 lbs (up to 25 lbs 18%, 26-50 lbs 60%, over 50 lbs 22%).
Benefits employers offer in licensed practical nurse job postings
| Benefit | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Medical, dental and vision insurance | 37% |
| Paid time off (PTO) | 22% |
| Competitive pay | 19% |
| 401(k) retirement plan | 18% |
| Career growth and advancement opportunities | 16% |
| Employee Assistance Program | 12% |
| Daily pay option | 11% |
| Supportive, team-oriented work environment | 10% |
| Tuition reimbursement | 9% |
| Employer-paid life insurance | 8% |
Counted only where the posting itself lists the benefit; many employers list benefits elsewhere.
How much experience do you need to be a licensed practical nurse?
Among 5,339 postings that state a minimum, the median is 1 year. 2% say 0 years and 74% ask for 1 year or less.
Minimum experience asked in 5,339 US licensed practical nurse job postings: median 1 year, and 74% ask for 1 year or less.
The figures as a table
| Minimum experience asked | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| 0 yr | 5% |
| 1 yr | 70% |
| 2 yrs | 19% |
| 3-4 yrs | 6% |
| 5-7 yrs | under 1% |
| 8-9 yrs | under 1% |
| 10+ yrs | under 1% |
Postings that state a minimum (required or preferred); at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
We do not show a degree figure: in our checks, degree requirements in posting text were found too rarely to publish one. Why.
Full-time 76%, Part-time 24% of the 4,271 postings that state working hours.
Other names for a licensed practical nurse: job titles employers use
| Job title | Employers using it |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 1,971 (29.2%) |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 1,729 (25.6%) |
| LPN | 1,616 (24.0%) |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | 357 (5.3%) |
| LVN | 300 (4.5%) |
| Licensed Practical Nurse LPN | 279 (4.1%) |
| LPN Licensed Practical Nurse | 203 (3.0%) |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | 140 (2.1%) |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | 84 (1.2%) |
| License Practical Nurse | 67 (1.0%) |
| LPN/LVN | 66 (1.0%) |
| LPN Charge Nurse | 62 (0.9%) |
| RN/LPN | 54 (0.8%) |
| (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurse | 51 (0.8%) |
| Home Health LPN | 45 (0.7%) |
| LVN/LPN | 45 (0.7%) |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | 42 (0.6%) |
| LPN Supervisor | 41 (0.6%) |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN | 41 (0.6%) |
| LPN/RN | 40 (0.6%) |
Titles read in our audit and used by at least 3 employers.
Licensed practical nurse job titles compared
The titles people search for most, from the US job postings that use each exact title (October 2026).
| Job title | Open postings | Employers | Median pay | Median experience | Skills named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN | 6,812 | 1,616 | $32.00/hr | 1 year | communication, compassionate, interpersonal skills |
| Licensed Practical Nurse LPN | 572 | 279 | – | – | teamwork, compassionate, communication |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | 1,421 | 357 | $32.84/hr | 1 year | communication, interpersonal skills, organizational skills |
| LVN | 1,192 | 300 | $33.00/hr | 1 year | communication, interpersonal skills, compassionate |
Licensed Practical Nurse compared with similar careers
| Career | Median pay | Median experience | Postings | Shares N of top 25 skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $32.65/hr | 1 year | 34,229 | – |
| Registered Nurse | $45.28/hr | 1 year | 140,130 | 19 |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | $21.00/hr | 1 year | 31,478 | 16 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $34.52/hr | 1 year | 12,964 | 19 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $35.00/hr | 1 year | 6,754 | 16 |
Similar careers
| Career | Shares N of the top 25 skills | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 19 | $45.28/hr |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 16 | $21.00/hr |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | 19 | $34.52/hr |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 16 | $35.00/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner | 16 | $142K |
| Nurse Midwife | 17 | – |
Applying for licensed practical nurse jobs?
- Licensed practical nurse resume examples: one-page examples for these roles
- Match your resume to a job: paste a posting and see the skills your resume is missing
- Check your resume: see how an applicant tracking system reads it
- Find licensed practical nurse jobs: search open postings
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse make an hour?
What is the starting salary for a licensed practical nurse?
How much does an LPN make?
How much does a Licensed Vocational Nurse make?
How much does an LVN make?
Source and method
Open US job postings collected from employers' applicant tracking systems, de-duplicated, counted only when their job title was read in our audit. Shares count at most 20 postings per employer, and franchise locations of one brand count as one employer. Pay uses hourly and annual figures only; a figure is shown when leaving out the largest employer moves it by 10% or less. Every figure states its number of postings. Methodology and measured accuracy.
Accuracy check: we read 19 randomly chosen postings counted on this page in full; 19 of them were this career or a closely related one (October 2026).
Download the figures on this page (CSV): every number above with its count of postings. Aggregate figures are licensed CC BY 4.0; cite the page when you reuse them.