If you are looking to enter the licensed practical nursing profession, you may be interested in the average LPN salary range. As with most prospective careers, the salary you make is a big factor in deciding whether to pursue that career. We’ll take a further look at the average salary in addition to how much you can earn in specific states.

An LPN is normally responsible for handing out medicine and giving treatments. Specific assignments will vary according to the type of facility that is offering employment. Some LPNs will pick one area of expertise that suits them best such as staff nursing in a nursing home or private practice nursing through home care nursing agencies.

There are different types of nurses. Two of the most common are licensed practical nurses and Registered Nurses. Practical Nursing includes the duties of administering treatments under the direction of an RN or a doctor.

An RN is allowed to follow through with procedures under lighter supervision, however many Registered Nurses’ responsibilities may be similar to an LPN’s. The major differences between these two kinds of nurses is their educational background, amount of training, and salary.

Average LPN Salary

LPNs are paid on an hourly basis while registered nurses often work on a fixed salary. Many factors will affect the wage rate of an LPN such as amount of work experience, specific training, and education. LPN salary also differs between government employment and work in the private sector.

In general, an LPN salary is approximated at $20 per hour. When part of a full time staff, a licensed practical nurse can earn upwards of $40,000 each year. Urban areas usually offer better pay. Experience also comes into play and can be a big reason for a higher salary.

Salary For LPN Chart

Factors That Determine LPN Salary

A starting LPN can expect to earn between $26,000 and $39,000 a year versus $35,000 to $45,000 a year for an LPN with many years of experience. The highest salary for LPNs are commonly found in the home health care field or nursing homes. On the opposite end, LPNs that work for school districts normally fall in the lowest salary range for this profession. School districts may only pay $20,000 a year to an LPN for services.

LPNs can be found in both the public and private sectors. Despite the fact that there are more women LPNs than men, there is a gap in pay between the sexes. An entry level make LPN is normally around $30,000 while the beginning pay for females is $20,000.

All LPNs must be licensed by their state of employment. Most nursing schools last for one year, but higher salaries may find those who choose to continue and heighten their level of education. An LPN with a minimum degree will earn around $30,000 a year. With a certificate, this amount will increase by at least $2000.

LPN Salary By State

Location within this country will also have an impact on an LPN salary. States like New Jersey, New Mexico, California, and Connecticut offer the highest pay to most LPNs which is around $50,000 per year. States like Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Dakota only pay around $35,000 a year.

Some of the best advice given to a person who is interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse is to continue education past the initial training and state examinations. More education will broaden the horizon of career opportunities.

Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Outlook

The outlook for a career as an LPN is very high. There are always opportunities for employment in this field and as more people enter their elderly years, there will be a higher need for people in this profession. Employment is expected to grow over 21% in the next 5 years.

There are many advantages to entering the health care field as an LPN. LPNs are normally employed by hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, or other health care agencies. They are responsible for gathering patient information, taking vital signs, assisting with patient hygiene, collecting samples and performing tests, as well as supervising nursing aides. Training usually only requires one year which means that a person can enter the workforce sooner and get paid faster.

Licensed practical nurses are usually paid an hourly rate between $13 and $23. Depending on location and place of employment, an LPN can expect more or less in salary. Average annual salary falls between $34,000 and $47,000. Experience also dictates a higher or lower salary. Whatever the LPN salary, the job is a rewarding way to work because they deal with and help patients all day long.

Incoming search terms:

• lpn salary
• LPN Nurses Salary
• lpn salary in ny per hour
• LPN 2012 Salary graph
• how much would a district nurse earn net with over 20 years experience
• how much does an lpn in nm make
• how much does an entry level lpn make in nyc
• lpn wages in different countries
• what is the range of starting/entry-level wages for a lpn
• what is the lowest and highest pay range a nurse can make