As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the United States is $57,400. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $46,530 to a high of $68,270, with most professionals earning between $51,710 and $63,090.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $63,090 | $5,258 | $1,213 | $30 |
| Average | $57,400 | $4,783 | $1,104 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,710 | $4,309 | $994 | $25 |
An entry-level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) with less than 1 year of experience earns about $55,532. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $55,701. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $57,825. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $60,203, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $60,372.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $55,532 |
| Intermediate Level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $55,701 |
| Senior Level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $57,825 |
| Specialist Level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $60,203 |
| Expert Level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $60,372 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $64,112 in 2023 to approximately $64,591 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $57,400 | 69.2% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,391 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,296 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $1,148 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,374 | 7.7% | ||
| Pension | $3,157 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $8,168 | 9.8% | ||
| Total Compensation | $82,934 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.0% |
| High School | 65.0% |
| Associates | 26.9% |
| Bachelors | 6.1% |
| Masters | 0.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.1% |
What Am I Worth?
A vocational nurse and a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) refer to the same role, primarily in California and Texas. LVNs provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or doctors. The salary for LVNs ranges from a minimum of $49,440 to a maximum of $60,570, with a median salary of $54,530, reflecting their essential contributions to healthcare.
Yes, you can transition from LVN to RN. The LVN to RN nursing program offers quality education, preparing students for entry-level nursing roles. As an LVN, you can earn a salary ranging from $49,440 to $60,570, with a median salary of $54,530. This advancement enhances your career opportunities and meets the growing healthcare demands.
While an LVN performs many tasks similar to a medical assistant, they have a broader scope of clinical duties and can supervise nursing assistants. In terms of salary, LVNs earn between $49,440 and $60,570, with a median salary of $54,530, which is generally higher than that of medical assistants.
Yes, vocational nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to obtain their LVN license in California. This exam assesses your nursing knowledge and skills, ensuring you are prepared to deliver high-quality patient care. Licensed Vocational Nurses can expect salaries ranging from $49,440 to $60,570, with a median salary of $54,530.
The average salary for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) ranges from $49,440 to $60,570, with a mid-salary of $54,530. While states like California and Rhode Island offer higher salaries, LVNs can expect to earn within this range across various locations. Always consider local demand and cost of living when evaluating salary potential.
If you aim to work as a hospital nurse, pursuing an RN is advisable. However, if you prefer a quicker path to employment, becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a great option. LVNs earn between $49,440 and $60,570 annually, with a median salary of $54,530. This role offers diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
