Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
SOC 29-2061 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is $59,730, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $60,790, and an estimated 630,250 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +22.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +3.9% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 2.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $59,730 | $59,730 | 630,250 |
| 2022 | $54,620 | $56,868 | 632,020 |
| 2021 | $48,070 | $54,054 | 641,240 |
| 2020 | $48,820 | $57,477 | 676,440 |
Nominal change
+22.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+3.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+2.6%
About average
Employment 2024
651,400
Projected 2034
668,500
Annual Openings
54,400
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $59,730. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $77,550 | +29.8% | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $76,840 | +28.6% | 1,110 |
| Washington | $76,190 | +27.6% | 6,260 |
| Alaska | $75,610 | +26.6% | 320 |
| California | $75,610 | +26.6% | 79,150 |
| Massachusetts | $73,380 | +22.9% | 13,890 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $72,610 | +21.6% | 300 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $71,890 | +20.4% | 260 |
| Oregon | $71,040 | +18.9% | 4,150 |
| New Hampshire | $70,620 | +18.2% | 2,390 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$45,670
25th Pct
$50,640
Median
$59,730
75th Pct
$67,140
90th Pct
$77,870
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →