The Best-Paying LPN Jobs

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide nursing care and support to patients. LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some states.

While their scope of practice is more narrow than that of a registered nurse (RN), LPNs are still utilized in a variety of inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. The scope of practice for LPNs varies by state. However, LPNs are generally allowed to give most medications, obtain vital signs, assist with activities of daily living, collect samples of blood and bodily fluids, and utilize special medical equipment, such as IV pumps and feeding pumps.

In most states, a few tasks are reserved exclusively for RNs that LPNs are not allowed to perform within their scope of practice. These usually include:

• Administration of blood or blood products
• Administration of IV push medications
• Performing initial assessments on patients
• Providing education to patients and/or family members

These specific restrictions do vary from state to state, so it is the LPN’s responsibility to understand the limits of their scope within their practicing state.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for LPNs in the United States is $51,850. LPN salaries can vary widely based on geographical location. States with comparatively higher costs of living, such as California and New York, tend to pay LPNs the most.

In general, top-paid LPNs tend to work in one of the following five industries:

Personal Care Services

Average annual salary: $ 64,840

1. Long-Term Care or Rehabilitation LPN

These LPNs work under the supervision of RNs and physicians to provide patient care in skilled nursing facilities, rehab facilities, or nursing homes.

Typical duties include administering prescribed medications and treatments, obtaining vital signs, maintaining accurate patient records, and assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.

Long-term care or rehabilitation LPNs usually work 8- or 12-hour shifts, depending on the facility. The typical work schedule may include day, evening, night, or weekend shifts since these patients require 24-hour nursing care and supervision.

2. Hospice or Palliative Care LPN

Hospice LPNs focus on maintaining a patient’s comfort and quality of life during the end-of-life period. These LPNs work with patients who are terminally ill and have chosen to use palliative or hospice care services to manage their condition. Responsibilities include obtaining vital signs, administering prescribed medications and treatments, maintaining accurate patient records, providing comfort and guidance to patients and their families, and assisting with activities of daily living as needed.

Hospice LPNs may work in a hospice facility or in the patient’s home through a home hospice agency. Hospice and palliative care LPNs may work 8- or 12-hour shifts, depending on the employer. They may also have required on-call shifts where they may be dispatched to help at a patient’s home or to cover for another nurse during a call-out situation. Hospice and palliative care LPNs are needed 24/7 in case a patient’s condition worsens and requires additional support, so day, evening, night, and weekend shifts could be part of a hospice LPN’s schedule.

3. Home Health LPN

These LPNs provide nursing care services within a patient’s home. They typically administer medications, provide wound care or other prescribed treatments, provide patient and family education, maintain accurate patient records, and assist with activities of daily living as needed.

Home health LPNs’ shift length often varies based on their caseload and how many patients they are assigned to visit on a given day. They also have to account for time spent traveling to and from the patient’s homes, which is usually paid commute time. Home health LPNs may also have required on-call shifts where they have to cover for another nurse or if a patient has an urgent need that cannot wait until their next nurse visit.

Home visits are typically conducted during the day or early evening, so night shifts are uncommon. Weekend visits may also be required depending on the employer.

4. Private Duty LPNs

Private duty LPNs are usually employed directly by patients or the patient’s family to provide care exclusively to them. These nurses usually provide many of the same services as home health LPNs, such as medication administration, wound care, and assisting with daily activities. However, a key difference is that private-duty LPNs spend an entire shift (usually 8-12 hours) caring for a single patient.

Private-duty LPNs work out their schedule based on the needs of the patient and family. Thus, they may work day, evening, night, or weekend shifts.

Office Administrative Services

Average annual salary: $ 64,330

1. Clinic LPN

Clinic LPNs can work in various specialty clinics, including family medicine, pediatrics, and aesthetics. Specific duties can vary depending on the clinic type, but they generally include obtaining vital signs, conducting medical laboratory tests, administering vaccinations, phlebotomy, and maintaining accurate patient records.

Clinic LPNs may also work as clinic managers within the practice, overseeing other LPNs and medical assistants (MAs) and taking on specific administrative duties.

Most clinic LPNs work 8-hour day shifts. Weekend shifts are also a common requirement since many clinics offer Saturday or Sunday hours.

Insurance Carriers

Average annual salary: $ 59,770

1.  Case Management LPN

Insurance companies will often hire case management LPNs to help coordinate patient care. Responsibilities typically include providing telephone or at-home case management services to patients, such as coordinating doctor’s visits or obtaining necessary medical equipment.

Case management LPNs may also assist the insurance company with obtaining needed medical information and personal documents from the patient to process and claim and answer any questions the patient may have regarding their insurance coverage.

Case management LPNs typically work 8-hour day shifts, although some employers may also offer evening shifts. Weekend coverage is also a common requirement, depending on the employer.

Health and Personal Care Stores

Average annual salary: $ 59,590

1. Pharmacy/Drug Store LPN

Pharmacies or drug stores that provide walk-in clinic services will often employ LPNs. Typical duties may include administering vaccinations and conducting medical laboratory tests.

Pharmacy/drug store LPNs usually work 8-hour day or evening shifts. Weekend shifts are also a common requirement since many walk-in clinics have Saturday and/or Sunday hours.

Junior Colleges

Average annual salary: $ 59,400

1. CNA Instructor

CNA instructors are responsible for educating aspiring certified nursing assistants (CNAs). They typically provide didactic and hands-on instruction within the CNA program, teaching essential knowledge and skills to students.

CNA instructors may conduct day or evening classes, depending on the institution. Many junior colleges offer flexible class schedules, including weekend classes, for working students, so CNA instructors may be required to teach during those times.

Are you considering a career as an LPN? Visit our LPN career guide to learn more!