Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Guide

Each region of the country has different costs of living, which impacts how much of their earnings LPNs keep in permanent and travel roles. For permanent positions, employers in California and Maryland paid the most per Vivian Health’s salary data for the week ending February 25, 2023.

LPNs in California earned an average of $29 per hour, while LPNs in Maryland earned an average of $26 per hour. But some employers pay even more to attract high-quality candidates. For example, the max hourly salary for a staff LPNs was $38 in California and $32 in Maryland.

Another way to increase your LPN salary is to earn a specialty certification, demonstrating your advanced knowledge and skills. Choose one that aligns with your professional interests to benefit you most. Certifications in wound care, urology and nephrology are all appropriate
for nurses wanting to continue using their clinical skills in hospitals, nursing facilities and medical offices. If you primarily work in nursing homes, consider obtaining one of two long-term care certifications that offer LPN-specific long-term care credentials.

Remember to consider the value of each employer’s total compensation package during your research. Salary is certainly an important consideration, but you may end up in a better
position if you accept a job with a slightly lower salary and more comprehensive benefits.

For 2022, a single person’s average health insurance premium was $7,911, per information from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Assume you have to choose between these two offers:

• Employer A: $24 per hour with 100% of your health premium covered

• Employer B: $25 per hour with 50% of your health premium covered

At first glance, Employer B seems to be the better option because the hourly wage is higher. But if you do the math, you may end up with more money in your pocket if you accept the offer from Employer A, as you won’t pay a cent toward your health premium.

For example, paying 50% of the average premium is $3,955.50 annually. Divide that by 52 weeks, and you get about $76 weekly. Then divide that by 40 hours, and you’re insurance
costs you about $1.90 an hour.

You actually lose 90 cents an hour taking the higher-paying job. However, this calculation assumes no overtime or bonuses, so you must look at the entire pay package and job description to determine which offer makes the most sense financially. Pay package and job details are among the questions you should ask your recruiter to ensure you understand the job offer precisely.

The cost of living in a city or state isn’t the only factor in determining how much a travel LPN earns. Some areas of the country are considered health professional shortage areas (HPSA), meaning they lack enough healthcare professionals to meet the local demand for medical services. Employers in designated HPSAs may offer higher salaries to attract travel LPNs to fill their contracts.