Question 1

What is the average Lpn salary in the US?

Accepted Answer

The median annual Lpn salary in the United States is $62,340, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. This midpoint figure means half of the 632,430 Lpns employed nationwide earn above $62,340 and half earn below. The mean annual wage is $64,150 — slightly above the median, reflecting upward pull from high-paying metropolitan and specialty positions. Entry-level earners (10th percentile) typically start around $47,960, while experienced professionals at the 75th percentile reach $73,160. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2061.

Question 2

How much does a Lpn make per hour?

Accepted Answer

Lpns earn a mean hourly wage of $30.84, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 survey. This figure represents the average across all Lpns in all industries and geographic areas in the United States. Hourly rates vary considerably based on employer type, geographic location, shift differentials, and years of experience. Hourly equivalents for salaried roles are calculated against a standard 2,080-hour work year (40 hours per week × 52 weeks); actual compensated hours may differ. For reference, the annual mean salary for Lpns is $64,150. Part-time workers, per-diem positions, and contract roles may fall above or below this figure depending on the agreed pay structure and premium differentials. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2061.

Question 3

What does a Lpn earn at the entry level?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Lpns — those in the bottom 10% of the wage distribution — typically earn around $47,960 per year, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. Workers in the 25th percentile (early-career, typically 1–4 years of experience) earn approximately $55,220 annually. These figures represent all industries and geographic regions nationwide; entry wages in high-cost states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts often run 10–25% above these benchmarks, while rural areas and lower-cost states may pay below them. As credentials, certifications, and clinical or technical experience accumulate, pay scales toward the median of $62,340 and beyond. Entry wage estimates are derived from BLS percentile bands and are labeled as estimates; they are not directly published as entry wages by the BLS. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2061.

Question 4

What is the highest salary a Lpn can earn?

Accepted Answer

The top 10% of Lpns earn $80,510 or more annually, and the 75th percentile sits at $73,160, according to BLS OEWS May 2024. The highest-paid positions tend to cluster in major metropolitan areas — particularly in California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington — and in settings that demand advanced credentials, specialized certifications, or leadership responsibilities. Employer type also drives meaningful pay variation: private-sector roles, large hospital systems, and government positions each carry different pay structures. For Lpns, moving from the median ($62,340) to the 90th percentile often involves a combination of advanced degrees or board certifications, supervisory responsibilities, and tenure at a high-volume or high-acuity facility. The mean salary of $64,150 sits below the 90th percentile, indicating most very-high earners are outliers. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2061.

Question 5

Is the mean Lpn salary higher than the median?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the mean Lpn salary ($64,150) is $1,810 above the median ($62,340). When the mean exceeds the median, it signals that a subset of high earners pulls the average upward — a common pattern in occupations with significant pay variation across specialties, employer types, or geographies. The median is generally the more useful benchmark for an individual worker: it represents what a typical Lpn earns, unaffected by the very highest outlier salaries. Both figures come from the BLS OEWS May 2024 survey, SOC 29-2061.

Question 6

How many Lpns work in the US?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 632,430 people work as Lpns in the United States, making it one of the larger occupational groups in the US labor market. This employment count is based on the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024 release, SOC 29-2061. The OEWS program covers non-farm wage and salary workers and excludes the self-employed. Total US employment across all occupations surveyed in the same release was approximately 158 million workers. The Lpn field represents roughly 0.40% of total surveyed US employment.

Lpn level	Tenure	Estimated salary	BLS reference
Entry level	First 0–2 years	$47,960	10th percentile
Early career	2–5 years	$55,220	25th percentile
Mid-career	5–10 years	$62,340	Median
Experienced	10+ years	$73,160	75th percentile
Senior / leadership	Top 10%	$80,510	90th percentile

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