LPN Earnings – Wage Potentials of LPNs
No matter how altruistic your intents for entering the nursing field, money always seems to tag along. It cost money to attend school, to buy uniforms and basic equipment, to keep up your license, etc., etc. I enjoy the work I do as a nurse, both the working with people and the science behind the medicine. If I did not have to worry about money, I would work for free. (I do Parish nursing for free.) Unfortunately, money often plays a role in where I choose to work, and what kind, as a nurse. Thankfully money’s role has never compromised nor influenced my love of nursing.
According to my brief research, LPN earnings between states range from $9.43/hr. to $25.15/hr., or $19,620-$52,300/year. The five with the highest wages are Connecticut ($52,300), New Jersey ($50,350), Rhode Island ($50,010), California ($49,940) and New Mexico ($49,760). The majority of high paying LPN jobs can be found in the East. You can also check this page to see salary trends by state. On the same page you will also find data collected from visitors on this website via our long running poll.
Don’t let the pay entice you to drastic moves. The numbers may look better in the East, but there are other things that need to be factored. Cost of living tends to be higher in the East (housing, groceries, gas, insurance, etc.), so wages are higher. The states that pay the most, also tend to have higher populations, more people equals more need for trained nursing care. Also, the metro areas of the East are currently growing very fast. No matter where you work or your salary, you will make a decent living.
Many other things, along with where you live, will factor in to determine your wage. Where you work influences how much you are paid. Offices, outpatient clinics, schools and hospice often tend to run to the lower end of the pay scale. Often less desirable shifts make more money, with the night shift making more to compensate for being up all night. The more years of experience you have, the more you will be likely to earn. Don’t forget extra certifications and special training. They will also add to your earning potential.
Walking hand-in-hand with wages is benefits. Not only will you receive hourly rates, but other compensations as well. Some places will pay less per hour, but their benefits will be spectacular. The reverse is also true. It is important to weight both your hourly wages and benefits. Benefit packages can include health insurance, dental insurance, eye insurance, retirement funds and pensions. Other benefits of facilities, not included in a package, can be a wide range of items: child care on site, gym memberships and discounts, among other things.
If you feel you need more money, and like a little adventure, there is always travel nursing. Once you have a year’s experience as an LPN, you can apply to travel. Travel nurses often make more money than most other nurses. Benefits can be hit or miss though. As a travel LPN you can pick and choose which jobs, which cities and which states, while gaining valuable experience. You do not spend a lot of time in each location, but can decide to stay if you’ve found a place and job you want.
While searching for a position as an LPN, make sure you spend some time thinking about what you want and need. Sit down and list your expenses and how much you will need to cover them. Look into the various benefit plans of the facilities you’ve applied to. Do they have great hourly rates, but poor benefits? You might end up spending more money on making up for the lack of benefits. How does the hourly rate compare to the local cost of living and average pay? Are you willing to move to make more money? Do some of the extra benefits entice you? Remember, no matter where you live or work, your LPN earnings should provide a decent living for you.