Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

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 do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
2. 2.Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
3. 3.Supervise nurses' aides or assistants.
4. 4.Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
5. 5.Record food and fluid intake and output.
6. 6.Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
7. 7.Prepare or examine food trays for conformance to prescribed diet.
8. 8.Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.

Top skills for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

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. 1

   Practical Nursing Certificate or Diploma

   ~1 year

   Complete 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. 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. 3

   Optional LPN-to-RN Bridge Program

   Optional~1.5 years

   Many 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

• Athletic Trainers
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• Recreational Therapists
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• Paramedics
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• Exercise Physiologists
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• Medical Records Specialists
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• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
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Common questions parents ask about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses