How much an LPN makes an hour in NY?

LPN salary averages revealed: how much money does a licensed practical nurse, also called a licensed vocational nurse or LVN, make per year? Do LPNs earn a good income? What is an LPN’s salary or average hourly wage?

Let’s examine the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out.

LPN Job Outlook

First, let’s talk job growth. The job outlook also looks great for nursing students who plan to become an LPN. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 12% growth rate for LPN/LVN employment between years 2016-2026, which exceeds the average for all occupations. [1]

LPN Salary Income

As of 2017, the average LPN salary was $45,710 per year. The median (middle) salary for LPNs was $45,030. LPNs earning more than $61,030 were in the 90% percentile, meaning that they made more than 90% of LPNs in the United States.

LPN salaries continue to increase each year. As an example, consider this graph showing nurse salaries from 2015, when LPNs earned an average salary of $44,030:

LPN Hourly Pay (Wages)

As of 2017, the average LPN hourly wage was $21.98. The median (middle) hourly wage for LPNs was $21.65. If you earned more than $29.34 per hour, you earned more than 90% of the LPNs in the United States.

If you’re an LPN who earns more (or less) than the averages listed above, you’re probably thinking, “That doesn’t look right! I make more (or less) than that!” However, these figures are only averages, and your salary can vary depending on factors like industry, experience, location, specialty, and more.

To help you gauge how your earnings compare to other LPNs in the United States, you can look the percentile estimates below:

LPN Income: Percentile Statistics

The above chart reveals the percentile earnings for LPN salary and wage data. If you earned $21.65 per hour or $45,030 per year in 2017, you made more than 50% of the LPNs in the U.S. If you earned $29.34 per hour or $61,030 per year, you earned  more than 90% of the LPNs in the U.S.

LPN Salary for all 50 States

LPN pay can vary dramatically among the 50 U.S. states. Here are the average hourly wage and salary figures for LPNs in all 50 states and U.S. territories:

The thing you have to remember about the state salary differences is that there can be various reasons for the income variations. For example, there is a greater demand for LPNs in some states because they have different laws and a different scope of practice than LPNs in other states.

However, keep in mind that some states have a high cost of living and different tax structures, so it doesn’t always make sense to move states solely based on income averages. You have to crunch numbers and consider all the factors involved to see if it makes financial sense.

Furthermore, you can always grow your LPN income by seeking certifications or working in higher paying industries in your current state. In addition, you could also consider going back to school to become an RN or advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner, CRNA, nurse midwife, etc. By taking a look at our nursing salaries, you can understand salary-earning potential with the different scopes of practice within the nursing profession.

Industry with highest levels of employment for LPNs

Top Paying Metropolitan areas in the United States

Metropolitan areas will typically have more patients and a greater demand for all types of healthcare workers, including licensed practical nurses. Below are the top paying metropolitan areas in the U.S.

LPN Income Based on Industry

Some industries pay higher wages than other industries do. Here are some of the LPN income statistics based on industry sector:

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2017 Edition, Licensed Practical Nurses, on the Internet at bls.gov.