Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary by State
Also called: Licensed Practical Nurses
The national median pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is $64,400 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,220 in Mississippi to $83,150 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $49,740
- 25th percentile
- $59,000
- Median
- $64,400
- 75th percentile
- $76,030
- Top 10%
- $83,440
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 648,410 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $83,150 | +29% | $64,230 | $100,950 | 6,780 |
| 2 | Alaska | $80,800 | +25% | $62,400 | $96,700 | 290 |
| 3 | Oregon | $80,470 | +25% | $64,000 | $98,990 | 4,260 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $80,220 | +25% | $61,690 | $93,980 | 13,210 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $80,090 | +24% | $65,650 | $94,540 | 1,290 |
| 6 | California | $79,750 | +24% | $64,390 | $100,450 | 82,850 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $77,110 | +20% | $59,860 | $93,660 | 2,220 |
| 8 | Arizona | $77,070 | +20% | $61,050 | $89,850 | 6,530 |
| 9 | Nevada | $76,160 | +18% | $61,750 | $89,420 | 3,350 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $75,740 | +18% | $62,880 | $87,470 | 1,040 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $75,160 | +17% | $63,210 | $85,400 | 17,410 |
| 12 | Illinois | $75,000 | +16% | $58,880 | $89,810 | 17,440 |
| 13 | Maryland | $74,660 | +16% | $60,720 | $90,010 | 9,560 |
| 14 | Colorado | $73,880 | +15% | $50,820 | $84,440 | 4,920 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $73,690 | +14% | $62,610 | $81,060 | 8,540 |
| 16 | Maine | $73,200 | +14% | $56,160 | $82,600 | 760 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $71,140 | +10% | $59,620 | $88,340 | 840 |
| 18 | Vermont | $69,930 | +9% | $50,230 | $84,710 | 1,130 |
| 19 | Delaware | $68,710 | +7% | $59,210 | $77,580 | 2,240 |
| 20 | New York | $67,180 | +4% | $54,480 | $81,530 | 39,400 |
| 21 | Indiana | $65,720 | +2% | $50,550 | $77,220 | 14,480 |
| 22 | Michigan | $65,460 | +2% | $56,160 | $77,780 | 10,880 |
| 23 | Virginia | $64,920 | +1% | $50,580 | $79,170 | 15,550 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $63,940 | −1% | $51,500 | $77,750 | 38,260 |
| 25 | Idaho | $63,800 | −1% | $47,890 | $77,850 | 1,880 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $63,760 | −1% | $51,820 | $78,490 | 7,390 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $63,750 | −1% | $51,700 | $77,380 | 12,840 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $63,460 | −1% | $46,700 | $77,000 | 480 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $63,270 | −2% | $50,480 | $74,730 | 18,010 |
| 30 | Utah | $63,230 | −2% | $37,480 | $77,540 | 1,680 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $62,660 | −3% | $50,890 | $77,940 | 4,580 |
| 32 | Iowa | $62,630 | −3% | $50,550 | $77,710 | 5,510 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $62,300 | −3% | $50,950 | $74,130 | 1,920 |
| 34 | Texas | $62,240 | −3% | $48,910 | $76,140 | 57,560 |
| 35 | Montana | $62,210 | −3% | $49,230 | $74,330 | 1,620 |
| 36 | Georgia | $62,030 | −4% | $46,010 | $76,690 | 21,060 |
| 37 | Ohio | $61,950 | −4% | $50,030 | $74,120 | 39,900 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $61,820 | −4% | $50,370 | $76,420 | 9,400 |
| 39 | Florida | $61,770 | −4% | $50,450 | $74,320 | 38,620 |
| 40 | Kansas | $61,760 | −4% | $49,780 | $77,290 | 7,530 |
| 41 | Missouri | $61,530 | −4% | $48,580 | $77,120 | 14,700 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $60,460 | −6% | $48,420 | $73,220 | 8,570 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $59,330 | −8% | $38,090 | $78,110 | 2,460 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $58,870 | −9% | $41,110 | $67,540 | 20,830 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $58,320 | −9% | $45,440 | $66,410 | 11,540 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $57,470 | −11% | $45,810 | $66,150 | 17,600 |
| 47 | Alabama | $57,030 | −11% | $39,880 | $69,120 | 11,580 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $56,620 | −12% | $44,670 | $65,020 | 10,010 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $55,360 | −14% | $45,690 | $70,960 | 6,050 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $52,750 | −18% | $40,770 | $67,700 | 2,050 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $50,220 | −22% | $39,320 | $60,910 | 9,850 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary questions
Which state pays licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses the most?
Washington, with a median of $83,150 a year (+29% vs. the national median of $64,400). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $50,220 a year (−22% vs. national).
Where do most licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work?
California has the most jobs, about 82,850, with a median of $79,750.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.