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Licensed Practical Nurse Salary by State (2026): Complete Table + FAQs
Licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) provide essential bedside care with pay that varies sharply by state. This state-by-state table from the latest official U.S. BLS OEWS release shows hourly monthly and yearly wages.
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS (latest release) · Last verified: 2026-10-08 · Methodology
Licensed Practical Nurse pay by state at a glance
| State | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40.34 | $6,992 | $83,900 |
| California | $39.59 | $6,862 | $82,340 |
| Oregon | $39.15 | $6,785 | $81,420 |
| Rhode Island | $38.52 | $6,677 | $80,120 |
| Alaska | $38.46 | $6,667 | $80,000 |
| Massachusetts | $38.11 | $6,606 | $79,270 |
| New Hampshire | $36.81 | $6,381 | $76,570 |
| Arizona | $36.60 | $6,343 | $76,120 |
| New Jersey | $35.86 | $6,217 | $74,600 |
| Nevada | $35.81 | $6,206 | $74,470 |
| Maryland | $35.66 | $6,181 | $74,170 |
| District of Columbia | $35.59 | $6,169 | $74,030 |
| Illinois | $35.30 | $6,119 | $73,430 |
| Connecticut | $34.89 | $6,048 | $72,580 |
| Maine | $34.67 | $6,009 | $72,110 |
| Hawaii | $34.41 | $5,963 | $71,560 |
| Colorado | $34.05 | $5,902 | $70,820 |
| Vermont | $33.71 | $5,843 | $70,110 |
| Delaware | $33.42 | $5,792 | $69,500 |
| New York | $33.26 | $5,764 | $69,170 |
| Michigan | $32.37 | $5,612 | $67,340 |
| Virginia | $31.88 | $5,525 | $66,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $31.70 | $5,494 | $65,930 |
| Wisconsin | $31.67 | $5,489 | $65,870 |
| Indiana | $31.66 | $5,487 | $65,840 |
| Minnesota | $31.20 | $5,408 | $64,900 |
| Nebraska | $31.04 | $5,380 | $64,560 |
| Idaho | $30.70 | $5,322 | $63,860 |
| North Carolina | $30.64 | $5,310 | $63,720 |
| Iowa | $30.49 | $5,285 | $63,420 |
| Wyoming | $30.44 | $5,275 | $63,300 |
| South Carolina | $30.37 | $5,264 | $63,170 |
| Texas | $30.18 | $5,231 | $62,770 |
| Kansas | $30.12 | $5,222 | $62,660 |
| Missouri | $30.00 | $5,201 | $62,410 |
| Montana | $29.98 | $5,196 | $62,350 |
| North Dakota | $29.92 | $5,186 | $62,230 |
| Florida | $29.88 | $5,179 | $62,150 |
| Utah | $29.86 | $5,176 | $62,110 |
| Ohio | $29.82 | $5,168 | $62,020 |
| Georgia | $29.64 | $5,137 | $61,640 |
| Kentucky | $29.07 | $5,038 | $60,460 |
| New Mexico | $28.19 | $4,886 | $58,630 |
| Oklahoma | $27.31 | $4,733 | $56,800 |
| Louisiana | $27.21 | $4,716 | $56,590 |
| Tennessee | $27.15 | $4,706 | $56,470 |
| West Virginia | $27.02 | $4,683 | $56,190 |
| Arkansas | $26.77 | $4,641 | $55,690 |
| Alabama | $26.59 | $4,609 | $55,310 |
| South Dakota | $26.44 | $4,583 | $54,990 |
| Mississippi | $24.74 | $4,288 | $51,450 |
The states that pay the most
Based on the data above, the top-paying states for this occupation are Washington, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Alaska. Always compare pay against cost of living — a lower dollar wage in a cheaper state can win.
- Washington — $83,900 a year
- California — $82,340 a year
- Oregon — $81,420 a year
- Rhode Island — $80,120 a year
- Alaska — $80,000 a year
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays licensed practical nurses the most?
The table above ranks every published state and Washington currently leads. States with higher care costs tend to pay more.
What is the average LPN salary in the US?
The U.S. mean LPN wage is about $67,050 a year (about $32.24 per hour) in the latest BLS OEWS release with a median near $64,400.
How does LPN pay compare to RN pay?
Registered nurses earn considerably more at the national level. Compare both tables to see the difference in your state.
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