Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · SOC 29-2061 · O*NET 29-2061.00
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn a median salary of $64,400 per year, ranking in the top 44% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.0% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn?
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is $64,400. That puts licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses at #367 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is +3.0%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 666K positions in 2024 to 686K in 2034, a net change of 20K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Entry into licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
How to become licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse: step by step
The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about 1-3 years (LPN only) or 3-5 years (LPN-to-RN). Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.
- 1
Practical Nursing Certificate or Diploma
~1 yearComplete a state-approved practical nursing program at a community college, vocational school, or hospital. Programs typically take 12-18 months and combine classroom and clinical training.
- •High school diploma or GED
- •Anatomy and physiology
- •Pharmacology basics
- •Medical-surgical nursing
- •Maternal-child nursing
- •Mental health nursing
- •Clinical practice (300+ hours)
- 2
NCLEX-PN Licensing
All states require LPNs/LVNs to pass the NCLEX-PN examination and obtain state licensure. The exam tests practical nursing knowledge and clinical judgment.
- •Graduate from approved nursing program
- •Pass NCLEX-PN exam
- •State licensure application
- •Background check
- •Continuing education for license renewal (varies by state)
NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) - 3
Optional LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
Optional~1.5 yearsMany LPNs pursue bridge programs to become Registered Nurses (RN). These accelerated programs (12-18 months) award credit for LPN experience and lead to an ADN or BSN. Significantly increases earning potential and career opportunities.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
What is the median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?
The median annual salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is $64,400 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses a growing career?
BLS projects +3.0% growth for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
The typical entry path requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses?
Related occupations within the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.