BLS national median · SOC 29-2061
$62,340
$29.97/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr
#68 · Healthcare
Licensed practical & licensed vocational nurses Salary
BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $62,340 ($29.97/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 29-2061. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Texas take-home at median
$52,270
16.1% effective
California take-home at median
$49,581
20.5% effective
Key takeaways — LPNs / LVNs
- Licensed practical & licensed vocational nurses ranks #68 of 92 on this hub with a $62,340 BLS May 2024 national median ($29.97/hr).
- Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $52,270 (16.1% effective employee levy rate). California: $49,581.
- One rank above: Elementary teachers at $62,340 (+$0).
- Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.
About Licensed practical & licensed vocational nurses wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Licensed practical & licensed vocational nurses (SOC 29-2061), the national median annual wage is $62,340 — meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less across the United States.
We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.
Use the compare tool to pit LPNs / LVNs against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Healthcare · rank context
LPNs / LVNs sits at rank #68 between Elementary teachers (#67, $62,340) and Clinical lab scientists (#69, $61,890).
Training & licensing context
Most healthcare rows require licensed clinical training — med school, nursing programs, or advanced practice degrees. Compare medians against years in school and residency before judging ROI.
Take-home at BLS median by state
Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.
| State | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $52,270 | 16.1% |
| California | $49,581 | 20.5% |
| New York | $49,470 | 20.6% |
| Florida | $52,270 | 16.1% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every LPNs / LVNs job pays the BLS median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches SOC 29-2061 (Licensed practical & licensed vocational nurses)
- Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
- Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
- Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating $62,340 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Skipping state tax when comparing two offers at similar gross medians
LPNs / LVNs salary FAQs
BLS OEWS May 2024 lists a $62,340 national median (SOC 29-2061) — about $29.97/hr on a 2,080-hour year.
Modeled single-filer take-home at the BLS median: Texas $52,270, California $49,581, New York $49,470, Florida $52,270 (2026 rules).
#68 of 92 occupations on this hub by BLS national median wage.
Elementary school teachers, except special education ranks #67 at $62,340 — $0 above LPNs / LVNs.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians ranks #69 at $61,890 — $450 below.
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