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 $62,340 per year, ranking in the top 44% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.6% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than 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 $62,340. That puts licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses at #354 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 +2.6%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 651K positions in 2024 to 668K in 2034, a net change of 17K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

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.Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
4. 4.Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
5. 5.Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
6. 6.Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
7. 7.Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
8. 8.Supervise nurses' aides or assistants.

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.

Related careers your child might also consider

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• Pediatricians, General
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Common questions parents ask about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses