Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses
SOC 29-2061
How Much Does a Licensed Practical Nurse Make?
The national median salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse is $59,730 per year ($28.72/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 9% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
NCLEX-PN exam + state license
This career has relatively low barriers to entry compared to similar roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Outlook
Faster than avg — the BLS projects 4% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 54,400 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Long-term care demand; entry into nursing career
What It's Like to Work as a Licensed Practical Nurse
This role involves significant physical labor.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov