Average LPN Salary and Factors that Affect Salary
Today, almost everyone is concerned with income, and it is no different with persons who wish to become licensed practical nurses. If you have picked this occupation, you have made a terrific career choice. Not only do LPNs earn fantastic starting salaries, but there is a huge demand for them in almost every corner of the country.
Overall Median Salary
LPN careers are among the handful of occupations that do not require a college degree, yet they offer excellent starting salaries. While the actual salary you will earn as an LPN varies depending on the factors described below, the overall median salary for practical nurses in 2013 was nearly $42,000 per year.
Industry
One of the factors that will determine how much money you will earn as an LPN is the industry in which you choose to work. For example, the average salary for LPNs working in nursing homes during 2013 was higher than those working in doctors' offices. Listed below, you will find some of the most popular industries for LPNs and their coinciding average salaries:
- Home Healthcare Companies - $44,970 Per Year
- Assisted Living Facilities - $44,230 Per Year
- Nursing Homes - $43,960 Per Year
- Substance Abuse Centers - $41,650 Per Year
- Doctors' Offices - $39,260 Per Year
Geographical Location
Another factor that can affect the wages you will earn as an LPN is the geographical location where you work. Due to such things as current economic conditions and demand for medical care, some states in the country offer higher LPN salaries than others. Furthermore, some cities provide larger LPN wages than others. Listed below, you will find some of the highest-paying locations for LPNs as of 2013:
- San Francisco, California - $62,330 Per Year
- Santa Barbara, California - $58,620 Per Year
- Peabody, Massachusetts - $57,970 Per Year
- Hartford, Connecticut - $55,880 Per Year
- Connecticut - $54,690 Per Year
- Alaska - $54,010 Per Year
- Nevada - $53,490 Per Year
- Massachusetts - $53,020 Per Year
Specialty Credentials
Finally, LPNs who possess various specialty certifications often demand higher salaries than those who do not hold these types of credentials. Earning specialty credentials is also a great way to increase your employment opportunities. If this sounds like something you would like to do, some areas of specialty that you may wish to consider are as follows:
- Home Healthcare
- Geriatric/Elder Care
- Hospice/Palliative Care
- Rehabilitative Care
- Psychiatric Nursing
- IV Administration
