Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of licensed practical nurses that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of licensed practical nurses:
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Registered Nurse Med/Surg is the highest-paid type of licensed practical nurse with an average salary of $84,812 and an average hourly rate of $40.77.
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The second highest-paying type of licensed practical nurse is emergency department registered nurse, with an average salary of $81,260.
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The average licensed practical nurse salary is $52,912 per year, and the average hourly pay is $25.44.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a licensed practical nurse, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of licensed practical nurses are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of licensed practical nurses:
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Registered Nurse Med/Surg
Average Salary: $84,812
The job of registered medical-surgical nurses is to care for patients with either surgical or non-surgical conditions. They are responsible for aiding patients to cope with their illness, prevent diseases, and promote good health. Entry-level registered nurses often rely on standardized care plans and medical procedures and make scientific-based nursing judgments. On the other hand, intermediate level nurses are more skilled in developing care plans that meet client needs. Requirements to become a medical-surgical nurse include a college degree in nursing, excellent assessment and observation skills, and patient education skills.
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Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $81,260
An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.
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Head Nurse
Average Salary: $80,173
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Field Nurse
Average Salary: $78,753
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Practical Nurse
Average Salary: $75,363
A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients’ lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various licensed practical nurse that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Licensed Practical Nurses
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for licensed practical nurses.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid licensed practical nurse job?
The highest-paid licensed practical nurse job is a registered nurse med/surg. Registered Nurse Med/Surgs earn an average salary of $84,812, which is $ 40.77 hourly.
The job of registered medical-surgical nurses is to care for patients with either surgical or non-surgical conditions. They are responsible for aiding patients to cope with their illness, prevent diseases, and promote good health. Entry-level registered nurses often rely on standardized care plans and medical procedures and make scientific-based nursing judgments. On the other hand, intermediate level nurses are more skilled in developing care plans that meet client needs. Requirements to become a medical-surgical nurse include a college degree in nursing, excellent assessment and observation skills, and patient education skills.
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What is a good salary for a licensed practical nurse?
A good salary for a licensed practical nurse is $52,912 or more. The average licensed practical nurse salary is $52,912, so those making at least $52,912 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average licensed practical nurse salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a licensed practical nurse, the average entry level salary is $46,424, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $52,912 average, as this includes all licensed practical nurses of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Licensed Practical Nurse jobs pay well?
Yes, licensed practical nurse jobs pay well. As in any industry, some licensed practical nurse jobs pay better than others, but the average licensed practical nurse salary of $52,912 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many licensed practical nurse jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of licensed practical nurses earning $68,562 a year on average.
Licensed Practical Nurses’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a licensed practical nurse. Do your research on the going rate for a licensed practical nurse in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do licensed practical nurses get paid the most?
Licensed Practical Nurses get paid the most in Maine. In Maine, licensed practical nurses earn an average annual salary of $56,520 and an average hourly wage of $27.17.
Following ME, the states with the highest-paid licensed practical nurses are New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, with average annual salaries of $57,082, $55,973, and $56,324 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid licensed practical nurse salaries are:
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Boston, MA – $57,483
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New York, NY – $57,081
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Rochester, NH – $56,965
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
