LPN vs RN: Salary & Scope

Choosing between becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) versus a Registered Nurse (RN) is one of the most important decisions for aspiring nurses. Both roles are essential to healthcare, but they differ significantly in education, responsibilities, salary, and career trajectory.

Quick Comparison

Factor	LPN/LVN	RN
Education	12-18 months	2-4 years
Degree	Diploma/Certificate	ADN or BSN
Exam	NCLEX-PN	NCLEX-RN
Avg. Salary	$54,000-$60,000	$77,000-$95,000
Scope	Basic nursing care	Complex patient care
Supervision	Works under RN/physician	Can work independently

Education Requirements

LPN/LVN Education

LPN programs are designed to get you into the workforce quickly:

• Duration: 12-18 months
• Setting: Community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals
• Curriculum: Fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, basic patient care
• Clinical hours: 400-800 hours typically
• Cost: $5,000-$20,000

RN Education

RN education offers two main pathways:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

• Duration: 2 years
• Setting: Community colleges
• Cost: $10,000-$40,000

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Duration: 4 years
• Setting: Universities
• Cost: $40,000-$150,000

Both ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN exam and earn the same initial RN license. However, BSN-prepared nurses often have advantages in hiring and career advancement.

Scope of Practice Comparison

The scope of practice defines what each nurse can legally do. This varies by state but generally follows these patterns:

What LPNs Can Do

• Take vital signs and monitor patient status
• Administer medications (with restrictions in some states)
• Provide basic patient care (bathing, feeding, mobility)
• Change dressings and wound care
• Collect specimens
• Document patient information
• Assist with patient education
• Insert urinary catheters
• Provide basic IV care (varies by state)

What RNs Can Do (In Addition to LPN Tasks)

• Develop and implement nursing care plans
• Perform comprehensive patient assessments
• Administer all medications including IV push
• Start and manage IV therapy
• Interpret diagnostic tests
• Supervise LPNs and nursing assistants
• Coordinate patient care across disciplines
• Provide patient and family education
• Perform triage in emergency settings
• Work in ICU and other critical care settings
• Make independent clinical judgments

State Variations

Scope of practice varies significantly by state:

• IV therapy: Some states allow LPNs to start IVs; others do not
• Medication administration: Restrictions vary on controlled substances
• Supervision requirements: Some states require direct RN supervision; others allow more independence

Always check your state’s specific requirements for accurate scope information.

Salary Comparison

National Salary Data (2026)

Role	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
LPN/LVN	$45,000	$54,000-$60,000	$65,000+
RN (ADN)	$60,000	$77,000	$90,000+
RN (BSN)	$65,000	$85,000	$100,000+

Salary by Setting

LPN/LVN Salaries by Setting:

• Nursing homes/skilled nursing: $50,000-$58,000
• Home health: $52,000-$60,000
• Physician offices: $48,000-$55,000
• Hospitals: $55,000-$65,000

RN Salaries by Setting:

• Hospitals: $75,000-$95,000
• Outpatient clinics: $70,000-$85,000
• Home health: $72,000-$88,000
• Travel nursing: $90,000-$150,000+

Highest-Paying States

For LPNs:

1. California — $68,000 average
2. Massachusetts — $64,000
3. Alaska — $63,000
4. Washington — $62,000
5. Nevada — $61,000

For RNs:

1. California — $124,000 average
2. Hawaii — $106,000
3. Massachusetts — $96,000
4. Oregon — $95,000
5. Alaska — $94,000

Work Settings

Where LPNs Work

LPNs are most commonly employed in:

1. Nursing homes and long-term care (38%) — The largest employer of LPNs
2. Hospitals (15%) — Often in med-surg or rehabilitation units
3. Physician offices (13%) — Assisting with patient care and procedures
4. Home health services (12%) — Providing care in patient homes
5. Community care facilities (10%) — Assisted living and group homes

Where RNs Work

RNs have more diverse employment options:

1. Hospitals (60%) — All units including ICU, ER, OR, L&D
2. Ambulatory care (18%) — Clinics, urgent care, surgery centers
3. Home health (7%) — Complex care in home settings
4. Nursing care facilities (5%) — Often in supervisory roles
5. Schools, government, other (10%) — Diverse specialty settings

Career Advancement

LPN Career Path

LPNs can advance their careers through:

1. Specialization — IV therapy certification, wound care, gerontology
2. Charge nurse roles — Leading shifts in long-term care settings
3. LPN to RN bridge programs — Fastest path to significant advancement
4. Management — Supervising CNAs in some settings

Limitations: Most leadership, specialty, and advanced practice roles require RN licensure.

RN Career Path

RNs have extensive advancement opportunities:

1. Clinical specialties — ICU, ER, OR, oncology, pediatrics
2. Certifications — CCRN, CEN, CNOR, OCN, and many more
3. Leadership — Charge nurse, nurse manager, director of nursing
4. Education — Clinical instructor, nursing faculty
5. Advanced practice — NP, CNM, CRNA, CNS (requires master’s/doctorate)
6. Non-clinical roles — Case management, informatics, research, consulting

Pros and Cons

LPN/LVN Pros

• ✅ Faster entry to nursing (12-18 months)
• ✅ Lower education costs
• ✅ Immediate earning potential
• ✅ Gateway to nursing career
• ✅ High demand in long-term care

LPN/LVN Cons

• ❌ Limited scope of practice
• ❌ Lower salary ceiling
• ❌ Fewer hospital opportunities
• ❌ Must work under supervision
• ❌ Limited advancement without further education

RN Pros

• ✅ Higher salary and earning potential
• ✅ Broader scope of practice
• ✅ More job opportunities and settings
• ✅ Can work more independently
• ✅ Path to advanced practice roles
• ✅ Greater job security

RN Cons

• ❌ Longer education commitment (2-4 years)
• ❌ Higher education costs
• ❌ More complex and stressful responsibilities
• ❌ Delayed entry to workforce

Which Path Is Right for You?

Consider LPN If You:

• Want to start working in healthcare quickly
• Have financial constraints limiting education duration
• Prefer structured tasks with clear protocols
• Want to “test” nursing before committing to RN education
• Plan to work in long-term care or home health
• See it as a stepping stone to RN

Consider RN If You:

• Can commit to 2-4 years of education
• Want maximum career flexibility
• Interested in hospital, specialty, or critical care nursing
• Plan to pursue leadership or advanced practice roles
• Want higher earning potential from the start
• Prefer working with greater autonomy

The LPN-to-RN Path

Many nurses successfully use LPN as a stepping stone:

1. Complete LPN program (12-18 months)
2. Work as LPN while saving money and gaining experience
3. Enroll in LPN-to-RN bridge program (12-24 additional months)
4. Graduate and pass NCLEX-RN
5. Begin RN career with clinical experience already in hand

This pathway takes longer overall but allows you to earn while you learn and enter nursing with less initial debt.

Learn more: LVN to RN Bridge Programs: Complete Guide

Job Outlook

Both LPNs and RNs are in demand, but growth projections differ:

LPN Job Outlook

• Projected growth (2022-2032): 5% (about as fast as average)
• New jobs expected: 58,000
• Factors: Aging population increases long-term care demand

RN Job Outlook

• Projected growth (2022-2032): 6% (faster than average)
• New jobs expected: 177,000
• Factors: Healthcare expansion, retiring nurses, complexity of care

Making Your Decision

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. How quickly do I need to start earning income?
2. How much can I invest in education?
3. What type of nursing setting interests me most?
4. Am I interested in eventually pursuing advanced practice?
5. Do I prefer structured tasks or complex problem-solving?
6. What are the job opportunities in my area for each role?

Research Your Market

Before deciding, research your local job market:

• What LPN and RN positions are available?
• What are local salary ranges?
• Which programs are available and accredited?
• Do local hospitals hire LPNs?

Next Steps

Ready to start your nursing career? Here’s what to do:

For LPN:

1. View LVN/LPN license requirements by state
2. Research accredited LPN programs in your area
3. Complete prerequisite courses if needed

For RN:

1. View RN license requirements by state
2. Decide between ADN and BSN pathway
3. Read our complete RN licensing guide

Both LPN and RN are rewarding career paths that make a real difference in patients’ lives. The best choice depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and timeline.