SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Nurse Practitioners

$129,210

Median annual salary

307,390 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $66,870 more per year than Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals — that's 107.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$47,960$169,950

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesNurse PractitionersDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$97,960$-50,000
25th Percentile$55,220$109,940$-54,720
Median (50th)$62,340$129,210$-66,870
75th Percentile$73,160$149,570$-76,410
90th Percentile$80,510$169,950$-89,440
Mean (Average)$64,150$132,000$-67,850

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Nurse Practitioners

307,390

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$225,730
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$220,330
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$164,520
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$164,510
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$162,470

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $66,870 (107.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS