LVN Salary Guide: What Licensed Vocational Nurses Earn in 2024
According to O*NET, the national median LVN salary is $59,730 per year ($28.72/hr), but pay ranges from under $38,000 to over $65,000 depending on location and setting.
According to O*NET, the national median LVN salary is $59,730 per year ($28.72/hr), but pay ranges from under $38,000 to over $65,000 depending on location and setting.
According to O*NET, an LVN in California's top-paying metros can earn over $75,000 annually — roughly double what LVN/LPNs make in the lowest-paying Southern states.
The national median salary for Licensed Vocational Nurses is $59,730 per year, or $28.72 per hour, according to the Department of Labor's O*NET database. That said, your actual pay could look very different depending on where you fall on the spectrum. Entry-level LVNs at the 10th percentile earn around $37,150, while top earners at the 90th percentile pull in $65,510 or more. With roughly 640,300 LVN/LPN jobs nationwide, this is a large and accessible healthcare career that pays a genuine living wage.
So why does LVN pay vary by almost $28,000 from bottom to top? Geography is the single biggest driver — the gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states exceeds $30,000. Your work setting matters too: hospital LVNs typically out-earn those in physician offices or home health, according to the BLS. Finally, experience level and shift selection round out the picture. Night and weekend differentials can add 10–20% to your base pay. The sections below break down each of these factors with real numbers.
How LVN pay spreads from entry-level to top earners nationwide.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,150 | $17.86/hr |
| 25th | $46,300 | $22.26/hr |
| 50th (Median) | $59,730 | $28.72/hr |
| 75th | $62,130 | $29.87/hr |
| 90th | $65,510 | $31.50/hr |
Geography is the single biggest factor in LVN pay. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states — like California and Washington — also carry significantly higher costs of living.
| Rank | State | Median | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $69,200 | +16% |
| 2 | Washington | $67,530 | +13% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $65,840 | +10% |
| 4 | Alaska | $65,230 | +9% |
| 5 | Oregon | $64,790 | +8% |
| 6 | Nevada | $62,680 | +5% |
| 7 | Connecticut | $62,210 | +4% |
| 8 | Arizona | $61,650 | +3% |
| 9 | New Jersey | $61,040 | +2% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $60,830 | +2% |
| Rank | State | Median | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | $38,930 | -35% |
| 2 | West Virginia | $39,710 | -34% |
| 3 | Alabama | $40,350 | -32% |
| 4 | Arkansas | $41,220 | -31% |
| 5 | South Dakota | $41,870 | -30% |
| 6 | Louisiana | $42,430 | -29% |
| 7 | Oklahoma | $43,060 | -28% |
| 8 | Kentucky | $43,580 | -27% |
| 9 | Tennessee | $44,120 | -26% |
| 10 | Iowa | $44,660 | -25% |
Metro-level data tells a sharper story than state averages. California's Bay Area metros consistently dominate the top of the LVN pay rankings, with San Francisco and San Jose leading the pack. However, metros in the Boston, Seattle, and New York areas also appear near the top. Remember that these metros carry high housing and living costs, so a $78,000 LVN salary in San Jose may not stretch as far as $55,000 in a mid-cost city.
Four key factors shape what you actually take home as an LVN.
O*NET data shows a gap exceeding $30,000 between the highest-paying state (California at $69,200) and the lowest (Mississippi at $38,930). Moving states — or even metros — is the fastest way to change your paycheck.
Hospitals and government agencies tend to pay LVNs the most, while physician offices and outpatient clinics pay less. Skilled nursing facilities fall in between and employ the largest share of LVNs. Your setting choice also affects benefits and overtime availability.
A brand-new LVN might start near the 10th percentile ($37,150), but within five years you can reach or exceed the median. Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add 10–20% on top of your base, making shift selection a real pay lever.
The LVN-to-RN bridge is the single biggest earnings move you can make. O*NET puts the median RN salary at $93,600 — roughly $33,870 more than the LVN median. Bridge programs typically take 1–2 years and nearly double your long-term earning potential.
If you want to boost your LVN pay right now, focus on the levers you can pull quickly. Picking up night or weekend shifts is the easiest — many employers pay 10–20% differentials that require zero extra education. Earning specialty certifications in IV therapy or wound care can add $2,000–$5,000 annually and make you more competitive for hospital roles. If you're willing to relocate, moving from a low-paying Southern state to California, Washington, or Massachusetts can mean a $20,000+ jump overnight.
For the long game, the LVN-to-RN bridge is hard to beat. Programs range from about $5,000 at community colleges to $25,000 at private schools, but the return on investment is enormous — you're looking at roughly $33,870 more per year at the median, which means even the most expensive bridge program pays for itself within the first year. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, and some hospitals will even pay your full tuition in exchange for a work commitment. If you're serious about maximizing lifetime earnings in nursing, bridging to your RN is the most impactful step you can take.
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California leads in raw LVN pay, but Texas LVNs may have more purchasing power due to no state income tax and lower housing costs. Always compare adjusted salaries.
Many LVNs earn 15–25% above their base salary through overtime, holiday pay, and shift differentials. A $59,730 base can become $68,000–$75,000 with extras.
Bridging from LVN to RN typically adds $30,000+ to annual earnings. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, making the investment minimal out of pocket.