Table of Contents
Top 5 Highest Paying States for LPNs:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for LPNs:What is the average incentive bonus for a LTC LPN Job?Employed vs. self-employed LTC LPN JobHow to do an effective LTC LPN job searchHow much do LTC LPNs make on average?Do LTC LPNs earn more than regular LPNs?What factors influence the salary of an LTC LPN?What is the starting salary for an entry-level LTC LPN?Can an LTC LPN earn more with overtime or bonuses?An LTC LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse who works in a long-term care (LTC) setting. These healthcare professionals provide nursing care to residents in facilities like nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or rehabilitation centers. They administer medications, monitor residents’ health and report changes to RNs, and assist with daily living activities (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, over 20% of the U.S. population will be aged 65 or older. This demographic often requires long-term care, which relies on LPNs. The demand for LTC nurses is increasing due to several key factors, including an aging population, the rise in chronic and terminal illnesses, a shortage of healthcare workers and the growing demand for long-term care services.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for LPNs Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for a LPN is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. LTC LPNs may earn slightly less than hospital-based LPNs but may have additional earning opportunities through overtime, weekend shifts, and shift differentials for evening/night work.
According to Zippia, the highest and lowest-paying states for LPNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for LPNs:
1. Maine
2. New Hampshire
3. Pennsylvania
4. Vermont
5. Massachusetts
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for LPNs:
1. Colorado
2. Missouri
3. Nebraska
4. Illinois
5. Wyoming
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/licensed-practical-nurse/Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average-salary
The median salary for an LPN in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and mode of practice. An entry-level salary for those just starting their career is around $41,000-$48,000. The median salary of an LPN is $51,850 per year, while a LTC LPN has median salary of between $50,000 and $53,000. LTC LPNs salaries are typically below this median compared to hospital LPNs but above those in outpatient or educational roles.
Traveling Long-Term Care (LTC) LPNs typically earn significantly more than hospital staff LPNs due to the temporary nature of their assignments, the demand for their skills, and the additional compensation for travel-related expenses. A traveling LTC LPN can earn $62,000–$100,000+ per year, depending on assignment frequency and hours worked.
Average LPN Salary by State (for non-traveling nurses)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $49,823 | $958 | $23.95 |
| Alaska | $56,398 | $1,084 | $27.11 |
| Arizona | $52,590 | $1,011 | $25.28 |
| Arkansas | $49,309 | $948 | $23.71 |
| California | $55,040 | $1,058 | $26.46 |
| Colorado | $49,049 | $943 | $23.58 |
| Connecticut | $57,418 | $1,104 | $27.60 |
| Delaware | $55,935 | $1,075 | $26.89 |
| Florida | $51,017 | $981 | $24.53 |
| Georgia | $49,895 | $960 | $23.99 |
| Hawaii | $60,494 | $1,163 | $29.08 |
| Idaho | $51,156 | $984 | $24.59 |
| Illinois | $50,113 | $964 | $24.09 |
| Indiana | $50,198 | $965 | $24.13 |
| Iowa | $49,037 | $943 | $23.58 |
| Kansas | $48,767 | $938 | $23.45 |
| Kentucky | $49,843 | $959 | $23.96 |
| Louisiana | $50,904 | $979 | $24.47 |
| Maine | $56,520 | $1,086 | $27.17 |
| Maryland | $54,996 | $1,057 | $26.44 |
| Massachusetts | $57,440 | $1,104 | $27.62 |
| Michigan | $52,639 | $1,012 | $25.31 |
| Minnesota | $49,758 | $957 | $23.92 |
| Mississippi | $49,988 | $961 | $24.03 |
| Missouri | $48,844 | $939 | $23.48 |
| Montana | $49,185 | $946 | $23.65 |
| Nebraska | $48,469 | $1,150 | $23.30 |
| Nevada | $53,936 | $932 | $25.93 |
| New Hampshire | $57,082 | $1,098 | $27.44 |
| New Jersey | $56,900 | $1,094 | $27.36 |
| New Mexico | $51,440 | $989 | $24.73 |
| New York | $57,056 | $1,097 | $27.43 |
| North Carolina | $50,935 | $980 | $24.49 |
| North Dakota | $49,145 | $945 | $23.63 |
| Ohio | $51,890 | $1000 | $24.95 |
| Oklahoma | $49,527 | $952 | $23.81 |
| Oregon | $54,033 | $1,039 | $25.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,973 | $1,076 | $26.91 |
| Rhode Island | $57,622 | $2,169 | $27.70 |
| South Carolina | $50,172 | $1,108 | $24.12 |
| South Dakota | $48,534 | $933 | $23.33 |
| Tennessee | $49,478 | $952 | $23.79 |
| Texas | $51,232 | $985 | $24.63 |
| Utah | $50,647 | $974 | $24.35 |
| Vermont | $56,324 | $1,083 | $27.08 |
| Virginia | $53,560 | $1,030 | $25.75 |
| Washington | $52,945 | $1,018 | $25.45 |
| West Virginia | $52,016 | $1,000 | $25.01 |
| Wisconsin | $50,554 | $972 | $24.30 |
| Wyoming | $48,743 | $937 | $23.43 |
Average LPN Job Salary by State (for traveling nurses)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $58,030 | $1,115 | $27.90 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $65,851 | $1,266 | $32.00 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $61,699 | $1,187 | $29.67 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $59,601 | $1,146 | $28.65 |
| California (San Francisco) | $73,212 | $1,408 | $35.19 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $64,445 | $1,239 | $30.98 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $62,682 | $1,205 | $30.13 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $62,105 | $1,194 | $29.85 |
| Florida (Miami) | $59,433 | $1,143 | $28.57 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $59,757 | $1,149 | $28.72 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $61,370 | $1,180 | $29.50 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $59,142 | $1,137 | $28.42 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $64,013 | $1,231 | $30.78 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $59,398 | $1,142 | $28.55 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $60,644 | $1,166 | $29.15 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $58,480 | $1,125 | $39.44 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $61,762 | $1,188 | $29.70 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $59,677 | $1,148 | $28.70 |
| Maine (Portland) | $63,576 | $1,223 | $30.57 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $61,514 | $1,183 | $29.57 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $67,509 | $1,298 | $32.45 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $61,516 | $1,183 | $29.57 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $62,847 | $1,209 | $30.22 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $54,105 | $1,041 | $26.02 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $58,898 | $1,133 | $28.32 |
| Montana (Helena) | $58,887 | $1,132 | $28.30 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $54,100 | $1,040 | $26.00 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $60,858 | $1,170 | $29.25 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $62,549 | $1,203 | $30.07 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $62,311 | $1,198 | $29.95 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $60,998 | $1,173 | $29.32 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $68,579 | $1,319 | $32.97 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $58,030 | $1,637 | $40.92 |
| North Dakota (Bismarck) | $61,912 | $1,191 | $29.77 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $60,021 | $1,154 | $28.85 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $57,725 | $1,110 | $27.75 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $65,900 | $1,267 | $31.68 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $62,705 | $1,206 | $30.15 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $62,776 | $1,207 | $30.17 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $58,152 | $1,118 | $27.95 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $61,918 | $1,191 | $29.77 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $60,021 | $1,154 | $28.85 |
| Texas (Austin) | $61,594 | $1,184 | $29.60 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $60,134 | $1,156 | $28.90 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $62,821 | $1,208 | $30.20 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $61,496 | $1,183 | $29.57 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $62,831 | $1,208 | $30.20 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $60,392 | $1,161 | $29.02 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $60,441 | $1,162 | $29.05 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $58,885 | $1,132 | $28.03 |
What is the average incentive bonus for a LTC LPN Job?
Many LTC LPNs earn bonuses based on performance metrics, such as patient satisfaction, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses to attract LTC LPNs. These can range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on demand in the area, shortages, and the level of experience required. Night, weekend, and holiday shifts can add $2–$5 per hour to base pay. Retention bonuses of $500–$5,000 may be offered to incentivize LPNs to stay for a certain time period, typically 1–3 years.
In addition, traveling LPNs can be offered travel bonuses of $1,000–$3,000 to cover moving or commuting expenses and housing stipends as part of relocation packages, often tax-free.
Employed vs. self-employed LTC LPN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed LTC LPNs. Employed LPNs have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, overtime pay, shift differentials, and bonuses. They usually work for a healthcare facility, such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, or rehabilitation center, and have less financial risk and less flexibility in scheduling.
A self-employed LTC LPNs work as independent contractors, providing services to multiple clients or facilities on a temporary or as-needed basis. Self-employment has a higher earning potential, increased flexibility, must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare or a retirement plan.
How to do an effective LTC LPN job search
We make it easy to find a LTC LPN position with PRNHealthcare. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am an LPN” and select LTC as your specialty. Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most-common benefits for a LTC LPN
Being a LTC LPN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
- Emotional Fulfillment- LTC facilities allow LPNs to develop meaningful, ongoing connections with residents, offering a unique sense of purpose and satisfaction.
- Career Stability- The growing elderly population ensures long-term job security and career stability.
- Specialization and Skill Development- LTC facilities frequently support LPNs in pursuing certifications (e.g., wound care, IV therapy) or transitioning to RN roles, fostering personal development.
- Work-Life Balance- LTC facilities often offer shifts (e.g., day, evening, or night) that can accommodate personal schedules. Part-time or on-call shifts are also available for increased flexibility for personal or family commitments.
- Meaningful Patient Relationships- LPNs in LTC play a crucial role in ensuring residents live with dignity, comfort, and compassion for a deeply rewarding experience.
- Sense of Community- Working closely with other healthcare professionals fosters a sense of camaraderie and support.
- Flexible Career Pathways- LTC LPNs can work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, or private care, providing diversity in job opportunities. Many LTC LPNs transition into supervisory roles, such as charge nurse positions for personal and professional growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do LTC LPNs make on average?
The average salary for an LTC LPN varies by location, experience, and facility type, but typically ranges from $45,000 to $55,000 per year. Pay can be higher in areas with a nursing shortage or for LPNs with specialized skills. Some LTC LPNs may earn hourly rates between $22 and $28 per hour.
Do LTC LPNs earn more than regular LPNs?
The salary for LTC LPNs is similar to regular LPN’s, but depends on the setting and location. LTC LPNs may earn slightly more if they work in facilities with high demand for care, or if they take on night shifts or weekends where shift differentials are offered. However, salaries can vary widely based on geographic location, experience, and the specific facility.
What factors influence the salary of an LTC LPN?
Location, experience, facility type, shift differentials, and specialized skills like wound care, IV therapy, or dementia care impact an LPN’s salary.
What is the starting salary for an entry-level LTC LPN?
The starting salary for an entry-level LTC LPN typically ranges from $40,000 to $48,000 per year, or around $20 to $24 per hour. Entry-level salaries can be higher in areas with a nursing shortage or for LPNs with additional certifications or specialized training. Many facilities also offer signing bonuses to attract new LPNs.
Can an LTC LPN earn more with overtime or bonuses?
Yes, overtime and bonuses can significantly increase an LTC LPN’s earnings. LTC LPNs who work more than 40 hours per week can earn time-and-a-half for overtime. Many facilities offer retention bonuses, signing bonuses, or referral bonuses for LPNs, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the demand.