Position
Salary

How much does a Licensed Vocational Nurse make?

The average salary for a Licensed Vocational Nurse is $67,980 per year in the US.

Licensed Vocational Nurses, or LVNs, work in healthcare settings and often provide essential patient care. They support doctors and registered nurses. The average yearly salary for LVNs is around $67,980. This salary can change based on experience, location, and the type of healthcare facility.

LVNs can find jobs in many places. These include hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Salaries may be higher in busy urban areas. LVNs with more experience usually earn more. Some might also get extra pay for working overtime or on weekends. As healthcare needs grow, so might opportunities for LVNs. This can lead to better job stability and higher salaries over time.

View Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs nearby

What are the highest paying cities for a Licensed Vocational Nurse?

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) can find some of the best pay in Seattle, WA, with an average salary of $88,396. Salinas, CA, and Santa Rosa, CA, also offer strong salaries, making them excellent places for LVNs seeking higher earnings. Additional top cities include Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; and Portland, OR, where LVNs earn above-average wages.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs, highlighting Seattle, WA with the highest at $88,396 and Lincoln, NE with the lowest at $76,315.
  1. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $88,396
    Seattle offers a dynamic environment for nurses. The city's healthcare facilities, including Swedish Medical Center, provide excellent opportunities. Nurses can expect competitive pay and robust benefits.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Seattle, WA


  2. Salinas, CA
    Average Salary: $85,092
    In Salinas, nurses can find fulfilling roles at institutions like Natividad Medical Center. The community-focused healthcare system offers a supportive environment. Competitive salaries and benefits are standard here.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Salinas, CA


  3. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $81,474
    Santa Rosa provides a range of opportunities for nurses. Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is a prominent employer. The city values its healthcare professionals, offering good salaries and benefits.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  4. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $81,463
    Boston's healthcare sector is robust, with top employers like Massachusetts General Hospital. Nurses can expect high-quality facilities and competitive compensation. The city’s healthcare environment is dynamic and supportive.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Boston, MA


  5. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $81,433
    San Francisco is home to several leading healthcare providers. Nurses here benefit from a vibrant professional community. Salaries and benefits are competitive, making it an attractive place for healthcare workers.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in San Francisco, CA


  6. Portland, OR
    Average Salary: $81,256
    Portland offers a variety of nursing opportunities at institutions like Kaiser Permanente. The city’s progressive healthcare system provides a supportive work environment. Competitive pay packages are common here.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Portland, OR


  7. Vallejo, CA
    Average Salary: $80,176
    Vallejo's healthcare facilities, including Kaiser Permanente, offer rewarding nursing positions. The city’s healthcare system values its staff, providing good salaries and benefits. It’s a great place for nurses to thrive.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Vallejo, CA


  8. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $77,908
    San Jose's healthcare sector is thriving, with top employers like Stanford Health Care. Nurses here enjoy a supportive work environment and competitive compensation. The city’s growing healthcare needs offer ample opportunities.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Denver, CO
    Average Salary: $77,608
    Denver's healthcare system is strong, with notable employers like UCHealth. Nurses can expect good salaries and comprehensive benefits. The city’s high standard of healthcare creates a rewarding work environment.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Denver, CO


  10. Lincoln, NE
    Average Salary: $76,315
    Lincoln offers a supportive healthcare environment. Institutions like Bryan Health provide excellent opportunities for nurses. Competitive pay and benefits make it an attractive place for healthcare professionals.
    Find Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs in Lincoln, NE

What are the best companies a Licensed Vocational Nurse can work for?

Licensed Vocational Nurses can find some of the best paying job opportunities with NURSES DIRECT, LLC, which offers an average salary of $125,911. Working for Blize Healthcare and El Camino Health also provides competitive pay, with averages of $108,865 and $102,256, respectively. Hollywood Home Health Services and Alameda Health System are also great options with salaries around $100,286 and $96,268.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs, highlighting NURSES DIRECT, LLC with the highest at $125,911 and Alameda Healthcare & Wellness Center with the lowest at $91,643.
  1. NURSES DIRECT, LLC
    Average Salary: $125,911
    NURSES DIRECT, LLC offers Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs with a strong focus on patient care. They operate in various locations, ensuring nurses have diverse opportunities. Their competitive salary and benefits make it an excellent choice for those looking to advance their careers.


  2. Blize Healthcare
    Average Salary: $108,865
    Blize Healthcare provides rewarding opportunities for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They are known for their supportive environment and professional growth. Blize Healthcare serves multiple locations, offering a variety of settings for nurses to work in.


  3. El Camino Health
    Average Salary: $102,256
    At El Camino Health, Licensed Vocational Nurses play a vital role in patient care. This company operates in several areas, providing diverse experiences. They offer a stable work environment with a good salary and benefits.


  4. Hollywood Home Health Services
    Average Salary: $100,286
    Hollywood Home Health Services values its Licensed Vocational Nurses, offering them a rewarding career. They provide home health services in multiple locations, giving nurses a chance to work in different settings.


  5. Alameda Health System
    Average Salary: $96,268
    The Alameda Health System offers numerous opportunities for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They are committed to providing quality care and support to their staff. They operate in various locations, ensuring diverse work environments.


  6. HealthONE
    Average Salary: $94,423
    HealthONE offers excellent positions for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They focus on patient care and professional growth. With locations in several areas, they provide a variety of experiences for their nursing staff.


  7. Health Link Home Health Agency
    Average Salary: $94,414
    Health Link Home Health Agency provides rewarding jobs for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They operate in multiple locations, offering diverse work environments. The company emphasizes patient care and staff support.


  8. A.T. Staffing / Advance'd Temporaries
    Average Salary: $92,273
    A.T. Staffing / Advance'd Temporaries offers various opportunities for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They focus on temporary placements across multiple locations, providing flexibility and diverse experiences.


  9. Best Home Health Providers
    Average Salary: $91,818
    Best Home Health Providers offers rewarding positions for Licensed Vocational Nurses. They operate in multiple areas, providing a variety of work settings. They prioritize patient care and staff development.


  10. Alameda Healthcare & Wellness Center
    Average Salary: $91,643
    Alameda Healthcare & Wellness Center offers opportunities for Licensed Vocational Nurses in a supportive environment. They operate in several locations, providing a range of work settings for their nursing staff.

How to earn more as a Licensed Vocational Nurse?

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) plays a critical role in the healthcare system. LVNs can boost their income through several effective strategies. Gaining additional certifications and specializations in high-demand areas can lead to higher pay. For instance, becoming certified in areas like gerontology or pediatrics can open doors to better-paying positions. Working in higher-paying environments, such as private hospitals or specialized care facilities, can also increase earnings. LVNs can also consider working overtime or taking on extra shifts. Another option is to seek positions in areas with a shortage of healthcare workers, where wages tend to be higher.

Pursuing higher education can significantly improve earning potential. LVNs who complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can transition to become Registered Nurses (RNs), which often comes with higher salaries. Additionally, LVNs can boost their income by moving to states with higher wages for healthcare workers. Networking within the industry and seeking out job opportunities that align with career goals can also lead to better-paying jobs. Being proactive in seeking promotions and performance-based pay increases can further enhance earnings.

Investing in continuous learning and professional development can pay off in the long run. Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences can provide valuable insights and skills that make an LVN more competitive in the job market. Building a strong professional reputation and seeking out mentors can also lead to higher earning opportunities. LVNs who take the initiative to advance their careers will find more paths to increased income.

Consider these factors for increasing your earnings as an LVN:

  1. Obtain additional certifications and specializations.
  2. Work in high-paying environments or areas with a shortage of healthcare workers.
  3. Pursue higher education to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
  4. Move to states with higher wages for healthcare workers.
  5. Invest in continuous learning and professional development.

Currently 3,730 Licensed Vocational Nurse job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the US?

Learn what a Licensed Vocational Nurse does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse today.
Position
Overview
Licensed Vocational Nurse
3,730 Job Openings