What Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses this way: "Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action"; "Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts"; "Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them"; "Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration"; "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award.
Job outlook for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 666,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 686,700 in 2035, an increase of 19,800 jobs (+3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 51,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,400, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn the most
Across the 13 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $61,707 in Florida to $81,408 in California, a gap of $19,701 (1.32 times). 10 of those 13 states average above the BLS national median of $64,400 and 3 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 81,130, which is 17.3% of the 470,310 counted across them. Texas follows with 56,630.
Highest-paying states
California ($81,408), New Hampshire ($81,391) and Massachusetts ($80,780) lead the ranking, while Florida ($61,707) and Georgia ($61,860) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: pay against the cost of living
We compare 17 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $40,266. The smallest margin is $17,499 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 17 of the 17 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 23.1% and 56.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-2000) include Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, Medical Records Specialists and Pharmacy Technicians.
Frequently asked questions about Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $64,400. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $61,707 to $81,408.
Which state pays Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $81,408. New Hampshire is next at $81,391.
Is Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 51,800 openings a year.
What education do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award, according to BLS.
Where can Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $40,266 on a median wage of $78,070.