What is the difference between RN and LPN pay?

Registered Nurses earn substantially more than Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses. A registered nurse earns about $97,550 a year, versus about $64,400 for LPNs/LVNs — both from verified public wage data. RNs complete an ADN or BSN and have a broader scope of practice; LPNs complete a shorter certificate or diploma program and work under RN or physician direction.

Is it worth bridging from LPN to RN for the pay?

The RN-to-LPN pay gap is large and persists across states, which is why LPN-to-RN bridge programs are common. Beyond pay, the RN scope of practice opens specialty, charge, and advanced-practice paths that LPN licensure does not. Use the calculator to compare estimated pay for each role in your state.

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.

RN vs LPN Salary

Registered Nurses earn more — a national median of $97,550 vs $64,400, a gap of about $33,150 per year.

Registered Nurse

Verified public wage data

$97,550 / yr median

Median $97,550

$68,940Middle 50%: $80,330–$112,350$137,470

Licensed Practical Nurse

Verified public wage data

$64,400 / yr median

Median $64,400

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

Annual pay, side by side

Registered NurseVerified public wage data$97,550$46.90/hr
Licensed Practical NurseVerified public wage data$64,400$30.96/hr

What the difference comes down to

Registered Nurses earn substantially more than Licensed Practical Nurses, reflecting broader scope of practice and education. 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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RN vs LPN 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.

RN vs LPN Salary FAQ

What is the difference between RN and LPN pay?: Registered Nurses earn substantially more than Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses. A registered nurse earns about $97,550 a year, versus about $64,400 for LPNs/LVNs — both from verified public wage data. RNs complete an ADN or BSN and have a broader scope of practice; LPNs complete a shorter certificate or diploma program and work under RN or physician direction.
Is it worth bridging from LPN to RN for the pay?: The RN-to-LPN pay gap is large and persists across states, which is why LPN-to-RN bridge programs are common. Beyond pay, the RN scope of practice opens specialty, charge, and advanced-practice paths that LPN licensure does not. Use the calculator to compare estimated pay for each role in your state.
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.