Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide essential direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians.
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Getting Started
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
At 1.3 years to get started, this takes longer than the 11 months average for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers.
Complete Education
Earn your Postsecondary Certificate (typically 1.3 years) at an estimated cost of $6k–$15k.
Get Licensed or Certified
Complete any state-required licensing or certification exams for licensed practical nurse (lpn) / licensed vocational nurse (lvn) practice.
Begin Working
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) earn a median salary of $62k/yr, with entry-level positions starting somewhat lower.
Education costs from College Scorecard. Training timelines from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Pathway quick answers
- How do you become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Complete required education, licensing, and supervised training for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
- How long does it take?Typical path to first paid role: 1.3 years.
- How much does it cost?Estimated education and training cost range: $6k-$15k (living expenses excluded).
Estimates use College Scorecard tuition data plus cited pathway and licensing requirements.
Overview
What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Do?
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide essential direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. The titles LPN and LVN refer to the exact same profession—the only difference is geographic, with California and Texas using the term LVN while all other states use LPN. These nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, monitoring patient health, administering medications, performing wound care, and assisting with daily activities like bathing and feeding.
On the Job
Compensation
How Much Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Make?
At $62k/yr, licensed practical nurse (lpn) / licensed vocational nurse (lvn) earn more than most Postsecondary Certificate-level careers, where the average is $47k/yr.
$62k/yr
median annual salary
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
After investing roughly $11k in education, licensed practical nurse (lpn) / licensed vocational nurse (lvn) typically begin earning within 1.3 years. Based on entry-level salaries of $47k/yr growing toward a $62k/yr median. The average education cost for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers is $10k.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$1.2M
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, College ScorecardSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $1.2M (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): $11k (range used: $6k-$15k). Breakdown: LPN/LVN Certificate Program: $11k; NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam: $250; State LPN/LVN Licensure: $150.
- How long does it take to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Typical time to first paycheck is about 1.3 years. Typical time to enter the target Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) role is about 1.3 years.
- How do you become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LPN/LVN Certificate Program Education | Year 0 (m0-m11) | $0 | -$10,508 | -$10,508 | |
NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam Training/Licensing | Year 1 (m13-m13) | $0 | -$250 | -$250 | |
State LPN/LVN Licensure Training/Licensing | Year 1 (m14-m14) | $0 | -$150 | -$150 | |
Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Career | Years 1-19 (m15-m239) | $1,168,875 | $0 | $1,168,875 | |
| 20-year totals | $1,168,875 | -$10,908 | $1,157,967 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.College Scorecard
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSCollege Scorecard
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
Future-Proofing
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Employment Growth
The BLS projects 4.7% growth over the next decade, roughly in line with the 5.9% average for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers.
10-Year Growth
4.7%
About as fast as average
Current Employment
632,430
jobs nationwide
AI Impact
High AI Impact
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) roles face significant AI impact — higher AI exposure than most Postsecondary Certificate-level careers. AI independently handles one or more major task components in this field. Core responsibilities like state licensing requirements require human presence and judgment that AI cannot replicate.
Why It's Safe
- +Assisting and caring for others
- +Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
- +Developing and building teams
- +Performing general physical activities
- +Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
What Could Be Automated
- −Documenting/recording information
- −Getting information
- −Making decisions and solving problems
- −Monitoring processes, materials, or surroundings
- −Working with computers
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology and Bureau of Labor Statistics projections
Learn More
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Sources
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
Advanced Methodology
Education cost source id: college_scorecard_2025
Source update dates: BLS OEWS: 2024-05 · BLS Projections: 2024-09 · O*NET: 2024-12