Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care..
Is licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses a good career?
It scores 24/100 and ranks #235 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($64,400)
- High volume of openings — about 54,400 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+2.6%)
What licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn between $59,000 and $76,030 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses jobs
No live licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses openings will appear here — each shown against the $64,400 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow as fast as average through 2034.
Education
LPNs and LVNs must complete an approved educational program. Certificate and diploma programs are commonly found in community colleges and technical schools, including some high schools, and typically take about 1 year to complete.
Practical nursing programs include subjects such as nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. All programs also include supervised clinical experience.
For a list of approved programs,
Licenses, certifications & registrations
After completing a state-approved educational program, prospective LPNs and LVNs must pass an exam to become licensed and enter the occupation.
Optional certifications for LPNs and LVNs are available through professional associations in areas such as gerontology, wound care, and intravenous (IV) therapy. Certifications show that an LPN or LVN has an advanced level of knowledge about a specific subject.
Some employers require or prefer that candidates have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification.
Advancement
With experience, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses may advance to supervisory positions. Some LPNs and LVNs transfer into other healthcare occupations. For example, an LPN may complete an LPN-to-RN education program to become a registered nurse.
Important qualities
Compassion. LPNs and LVNs must be empathetic and caring toward the people they serve.
Communication skills. LPNs and LVNs must be able to convey information effectively. For example, they may need to relay a patient’s test results to a registered nurse.
Detail oriented. LPNs and LVNs need to pay attention to minutiae because they must ensure that patients get the correct care at the right time.
Interpersonal skills. LPNs and LVNs must be able to build a rapport to interact with patients and other healthcare providers.
Multitasking skills. LPNs and LVNs often work with multiple patients who have a variety of health needs. They must ensure that each patient receives appropriate care and attention.
Physical stamina. LPNs and LVNs should be able to perform physical tasks, such as bending over patients for a long time.
Related occupations
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make?
The national median wage is $64,400 a year, with the middle half earning between $59,000 and $76,030 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 24 of 100 and ranks #235 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +2.6% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award.
Where do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($83,150). Local pay for every state and metro is below.