Highest Paying States for LPNs / LVNs (2026): Where Practical Nurses Earn the Most
The highest paying state for LPNs / LVNs is Washington at $87,635 average median salary in 2026, based on BLS OEWS data across 52 states and 1690+ metro areas. LPN pay varies from Puerto Rico ($32,955) to Washington ($87,635) — driven by SNF reimbursement, hospital vs LTAC mix, and state income tax.
Best States for LPN / LVN Salary: 2026 Rankings
LPN / LVN pay variance is driven by SNF (skilled nursing facility) Medicare reimbursement, hospital vs LTAC vs home health mix, IV cert + expanded scope, COL, and state income tax. Washington leads at $87,635, while Puerto Rico sits at $32,955.
Top-Tier States
- Alaska ($65,000-$78,000) — chronic shortage + no state income tax + IHS premium.
- California ($65,000-$78,000) — LVN scope expanded. SF Bay Area / LA / San Diego top. Premium LTAC + SNF.
- Massachusetts ($62,000-$72,000) — Boston academic + strong LTAC market.
- Washington ($60,000-$70,000) — Seattle + no state income tax.
- Connecticut ($58,000-$68,000) — Fairfield + Hartford strong.
- Nevada ($58,000-$68,000) — Las Vegas + no state income tax.
Mid-Tier Markets
- Oregon ($55,000-$65,000) — Portland + strong SNF.
- New York ($55,000-$68,000) — NYC + Long Island premium.
- New Jersey ($55,000-$65,000) — Bergen / Morris.
- Rhode Island ($55,000-$62,000) — strong SNF + LTAC.
- Hawaii ($52,000-$62,000) — shortage + high COL.
- Texas ($48,000-$60,000) — Houston / Dallas + no state income tax.
- Florida ($45,000-$58,000) — Miami / Tampa + no state income tax + retiree-driven SNF.
Setting Premium Markets
- Hospital LPN (acute / hospital ladder) — premium hospital benefits.
- SNF LPN (Medicare reimbursement) — premium hourly + productivity.
- Home Health LPN — premium per-visit + mileage.
- LTAC (Long-Term Acute Care) — premium specialty.
- Travel LPN contracts — premium hourly + per-diem.
- Per-diem (PRN) supplemental — $28-$45/hour senior LPNs.
- Federal VA / DoD / IHS — pension + PSLF.
- Correctional health — premium federal/state contract.
2026 State Ranking Methodology
Rankings reflect 2026 projected median from BLS OEWS 2025. SNF Medicare reimbursement + LTAC mix materially affect pay. LPN-to-RN bridge programs (LPN-to-BSN) accelerate earnings.
2019 BLS
$47,480
2025 BLS
$64,400
2026 Current Est.
$68,071
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
National Average for Context
2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Median Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,951 | Projected |
Understanding the national salary trend helps contextualize state-level differences. The national median provides a baseline for comparing how each state's licensed practical nurse pay stacks up.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 5.70% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Licensed Practical Nurses
What Drives State-Level LPN / LVN Pay Differences
Five primary factors explain LPN state-level pay variance.
1. Cost of Living (30-40%)
- HCOL markets command premium.
- RPP from BEA — CA 113, MS 86.
- Housing dominant.
- COL-adjusted real income — Texas / Tennessee often beat California net.
2. Setting Mix: SNF / Hospital / Home Health (20-30%)
- SNF LPN (Medicare reimbursement) — premium hourly.
- Hospital LPN (acute care) — premium benefits.
- Home Health LPN — premium per-visit.
- LTAC (Long-Term Acute Care) — premium specialty.
- Hospice LPN — premium niche.
- Correctional health — premium contract.
- School nurse (where LPN allowed) — pension + summer + PSLF.
3. State LPN Scope of Practice (10-15%)
- California LVN expanded scope — IV therapy, blood draws, expanded duties.
- States with restrictive scope — limit per-LPN productivity.
- IV certification (LPN-IV) — premium scope.
- Blood withdrawal cert — premium scope.
- Skin assessment / wound care — premium specialty.
4. State Income Tax (5-10% take-home)
- No state income tax — AK, WA, TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, NH.
- High state income tax — CA, NY, OR, NJ, MN, HI.
- NYC + Philadelphia local — additional.
- Property + sales tax — TX, NJ tradeoff.
5. NCLEX-PN + State License (5-10%)
- NCLEX-PN — universal entry exam.
- State LPN/LVN license — verify per state.
- NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) — multistate compact (40+ states).
- IV cert + skin assessment + wound care — premium scope.
- LPN-to-RN bridge programs — premium career advancement.
Where Do Licensed Practical Nurses Get Paid the Most?
Complete ranking of all 52 states by average licensed practical nurse salary. Click any state to see city-level breakdowns and detailed data.
| Rank | State | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $87,635 |
| 2 | California | $86,049 |
| 3 | Oregon | $85,992 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $85,609 |
| 5 | Alaska | $85,444 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $82,776 |
| 7 | Arizona | $81,450 |
| 8 | Nevada | $80,562 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $80,184 |
| 10 | Illinois | $79,996 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $79,442 |
| 12 | Vermont | $78,962 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $77,797 |
| 14 | Colorado | $77,680 |
| 15 | Maryland | $77,404 |
| 16 | Maine | $77,312 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $77,253 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $76,788 |
| 19 | New York | $75,861 |
| 20 | Michigan | $70,927 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $70,045 |
| 22 | Indiana | $69,366 |
| 23 | Idaho | $68,369 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $68,347 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $67,784 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $67,564 |
| 27 | Utah | $67,451 |
| 28 | Missouri | $67,337 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $66,948 |
| 30 | Virginia | $66,879 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $66,680 |
| 32 | Georgia | $66,665 |
| 33 | Iowa | $66,509 |
| 34 | Ohio | $66,074 |
| 35 | Delaware | $65,998 |
| 36 | Texas | $65,796 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $65,698 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $65,661 |
| 39 | Montana | $65,264 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $65,169 |
| 41 | Florida | $65,165 |
| 42 | Kansas | $64,363 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $62,974 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $62,219 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $61,917 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $61,441 |
| 47 | Alabama | $61,153 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $60,452 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $57,831 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $56,609 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $56,331 |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $32,955 |
Lowest Paying States for Licensed Practical Nurses
Even the lowest-paying states offer licensed practical nurse salaries well above the national average for all occupations. Here are the 5 lowest-paying states:
Top Earner Potential by State
The 90th percentile represents what experienced, highly-skilled licensed practical nurses earn in each state. These are the 10 states with the highest earning ceilings:
| # | State | Top Earner (P90) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $106,804 |
| 2 | Oregon | $104,817 |
| 3 | California | $104,723 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $99,718 |
| 5 | Maryland | $99,019 |
| 6 | Illinois | $98,374 |
| 7 | Alaska | $98,288 |
| 8 | Arizona | $97,737 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $96,891 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $95,307 |
How to Move to a Higher-Paying State for LPN / LVN Work
Relocating for LPN pay requires balancing nominal salary against SNF / hospital mix, state tax, COL, and NLC status. Here is the playbook.
1. Verify NLC + State LPN License
- NCLEX-PN — universal exam.
- NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) — multistate license valid across 40+ states.
- Non-NLC states (CA, NY, IL, OR, MA, CT, NV, HI, DC) — require state-specific endorsement.
- State endorsement processing — 4-12 weeks.
- Practical nurse program — required.
- BLS / CPR certification — required.
- IV cert + state-specific scope — verify per state.
2. Calculate Real Take-Home, Not Nominal
- COL-adjusted income — Texas LPN at $50,000 may exceed California LPN at $70,000 net.
- State + local income tax — effective rate.
- Property + sales tax — Texas tradeoff.
- Childcare cost spread — major variance.
- Health + benefits — hospital vs SNF vs LTAC.
- 401(k) match + pension — federal employer.
- Commute cost — urban vs rural.
3. Target SNF / Home Health / LTAC Premium
- SNF LPN (Medicare-driven) — premium hourly + productivity bonus.
- Home Health LPN — premium per-visit + mileage.
- LTAC LPN — premium specialty.
- Hospital LPN (acute care) — premium benefits.
- Hospice LPN — premium niche.
- Correctional health LPN — premium contract.
- Travel LPN (15-30% premium hourly) — premium.
- Per-diem (PRN) supplemental — $28-$45/hour senior LPNs.
4. Negotiate Sign-On + LPN-to-RN Path
- Sign-on bonus ($2,500-$10,000) — common at shortage.
- Relocation assistance ($1,000-$5,000) — standard.
- HRSA NHSC loan forgiveness — up to $50,000 HPSA forgiveness.
- PSLF stack (501(c)(3) + government) — 10-year forgiveness.
- Tuition reimbursement (LPN-to-RN) — premium at hospital systems.
- State LPN loan repayment — varies.
- Shift differential (night, weekend) — 10-30% premium.
- IV cert + skin / wound stipend — premium scope.
5. Choose Setting Based on Career Plan
- SNF LPN (Medicare-driven income) — premium hourly.
- Home Health LPN — premium per-visit.
- LTAC LPN — premium specialty.
- Hospital LPN (acute care benefits) — premium benefits.
- Hospice LPN — premium niche.
- Correctional health (federal/state contract) — premium.
- Federal VA / DoD / IHS — pension + PSLF.
- Travel LPN / per-diem — premium hourly.
- LPN-to-RN-to-BSN bridge — premier long-term path.
- School nurse (where allowed) — pension + summer + PSLF.
Additional Geographic + Lifestyle Considerations
- Climate fit + lifestyle preference — extreme heat (TX, FL, AZ) vs winter (MN, ME, AK) — major lifestyle differential beyond paycheck.
- School district quality (for families with children) — major hidden cost. Top suburban districts in NJ / NY / MA / CA add significant value.
- Healthcare access + cost-of-living index — verify metro-specific data on BLS / BEA.
- Spousal employment market — coordinate timing with partner career.
- Aging parent proximity — major life consideration.
- Network + alumni density (professional + social) — major.
- Recreation + outdoor access — varies dramatically by state.
- State + local political climate fit — major lifestyle differential.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
State salary rankings on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each state's average salary. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov