Career comparison
Licensed Practical Nurse vs. Medical Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Licensed practical nurses earn more at the median ($64,400 vs. $45,690), while medical assistants usually get to work faster (9–12 months of training). Licensed practical nurses give licensed nursing care (meds, wound care and monitoring) in about a year of training. Medical assistants room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Medical Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,400 ($30.96/hr) | $45,690 ($21.97/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,740 – $83,440 | $36,050 – $59,310 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +12.9% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 51,800 | 109,700 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 12–18 months | 9–12 months |
| Key credential | NCLEX-PN license | CMA (AAMA) |
| Work setting | LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities, home health, physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. | Most medical assistants work in physician offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers and hospitals. |
What each job does
Licensed Practical Nurse
- Monitor patients and record vital signs and changes in condition
- Administer oral, topical and injectable medications as permitted by state law
- Provide wound care, change dressings and care for catheters and ostomies
- Collect specimens and perform routine tests such as blood glucose checks
- Update care plans and document care accurately
Medical Assistant
- Room patients, verify identity and record the chief complaint and medical history
- Measure vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, height, weight and oxygen saturation
- Prepare for and assist with exams, minor procedures and specimen collection
- Administer injections and vaccines and run point-of-care tests where state law allows
- Document visits accurately in the electronic health record
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose licensed practical nurse if…
- I want real nursing responsibility without a four-year degree
- I can handle medications and math carefully
- I can lead and direct other caregivers
Choose medical assistant if…
- I stay calm around needles, blood and people who feel sick
- I like switching between hands-on tasks and computer work
- I can explain things clearly to nervous or frustrated people
Still torn? Take the Licensed Practical Nurse fit quiz and the Medical Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, licensed practical nurse or medical assistant?
Licensed Practical Nurses earn more at the median: $64,400 versus $45,690 for medical assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Assistants typically train faster (9–12 months) than licensed practical nurses (12–18 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects medical assistants to grow +12.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for licensed practical nurses.