Licensed Practical Nurses
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Licensed Practical Nurses in the United States earn a median salary of $64,400 per year — about $31 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 651K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +3%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation involves physical tasks such as bathing, dressing, and wound care, which are currently beyond the reach of AI and robotics. However, AI will significantly impact the information-processing aspects of the job, including documenting patient care, monitoring vitals, and assisting with diagnostic reporting, leading to moderate overall exposure.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $95,320 | Above avg (110.4) | $86,323 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $92,580 | Above avg (107.8) | $85,894 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $82,410 | Average (97.8) | $84,298 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $81,250 | Average (98.4) | $82,612 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $78,480 | Below avg (95.1) | $82,518 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $83,940 | Average (102.4) | $81,938 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $94,310 | Above avg (115.6) | $81,574 |
| Springfield, MA | $77,850 | Below avg (96.1) | $81,042 |
| Niles, MI | $74,530 | Below avg (92.4) | $80,686 |
| Bend, OR | $83,260 | Above avg (103.6) | $80,361 |
| Carson City, NV | $78,790 | Average (98.1) | $80,291 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $77,940 | Average (97.5) | $79,902 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $78,690 | Average (98.5) | $79,873 |
| Yakima, WA | $76,290 | Below avg (95.5) | $79,847 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,630 | Average (100.1) | $79,567 |