Do Licensed Practical Nurses or Nursing Assistant (CNA)s earn more?

Licensed Practical Nurses earn more, with a national median of about $64,400 a year vs $42,260 for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s — a gap of roughly $22,140 per year.

How big is the pay gap between Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Assistant (CNA)s?

The difference is about $22,140 a year, or roughly 52% more for Licensed Practical Nurses. It varies by state, experience, setting, and shift — use the calculator to compare both for your own situation.

Why do Licensed Practical Nurses earn more than Nursing Assistant (CNA)s?

Scope of practice, required education, and autonomy are the biggest drivers — Licensed Practical Nurses complete more training and take on more clinical responsibility, which is reflected in pay.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

LPN vs CNA Salary

Licensed Practical Nurses earn more — a national median of $64,400 vs $42,260, a gap of about $22,140 per year.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Verified public wage data

$64,400 / yr median

Median $64,400

$49,740Middle 50%: $59,000–$76,030$83,440

Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Verified public wage data

$42,260 / yr median

Median $42,260

$33,940Middle 50%: $37,260–$47,220$51,980

Annual pay, side by side

Licensed Practical NurseVerified public wage data$64,400$30.96/hr
Nursing Assistant (CNA)Verified public wage data$42,260$20.32/hr

What the difference comes down to

Licensed practical nurses earn more than certified nursing assistants because LPNs hold a state nursing license earned by passing the NCLEX-PN and practice with a broader clinical scope, including medication administration and treatments. The CNA is a shorter certificate credential limited to basic care tasks under supervision. Scope of practice, required education, and autonomy are the biggest drivers of the gap. Use the calculator to personalize either path by your state, experience, and work setting.

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LPN vs CNA Salary by state

Estimated pay gap for this comparison in each state.

Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, national)

National wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2025 national data.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Last reviewed July 17, 2026.

LPN vs CNA Salary FAQ

Do Licensed Practical Nurses or Nursing Assistant (CNA)s earn more?: Licensed Practical Nurses earn more, with a national median of about $64,400 a year vs $42,260 for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s — a gap of roughly $22,140 per year.
How big is the pay gap between Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Assistant (CNA)s?: The difference is about $22,140 a year, or roughly 52% more for Licensed Practical Nurses. It varies by state, experience, setting, and shift — use the calculator to compare both for your own situation.
Why do Licensed Practical Nurses earn more than Nursing Assistant (CNA)s?: Scope of practice, required education, and autonomy are the biggest drivers — Licensed Practical Nurses complete more training and take on more clinical responsibility, which is reflected in pay.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.