Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year. They must be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 51,800 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 51,800 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 51,800 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care.
Work Environment
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in a variety of settings, including nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private homes. Most work full time.
How to Become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year. They must be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 51,800 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in a variety of settings, including nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private homes. Most work full time.
How to Become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year. They must be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 51,800 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.