Career comparison
Licensed Practical Nurse vs. Nursing Instructor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Nursing instructors earn more at the median ($80,250 vs. $64,400), while licensed practical nurses usually get to work faster (12–18 months of training). Licensed practical nurses give licensed nursing care (meds, wound care and monitoring) in about a year of training. Nursing instructors teach and supervise the next generation of nurses.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Nursing Instructor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,400 ($30.96/hr) | $80,250 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,740 – $83,440 | $48,800 – $129,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +17.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 51,800 | 8,500 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 12–18 months | 6–8 years |
| Key credential | NCLEX-PN license | RN license |
| Work setting | LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities, home health, physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. | Instructors work in classrooms, simulation labs 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
Nursing Instructor
- Teach nursing courses
- Run skills and simulation labs
- Supervise clinical rotations
- Prepare students for the NCLEX
- Evaluate student competency
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, indoor work, and high responsibility. They sit in different fields, healthcare and education & childcare, but share transferable skills such as clinical judgment and prioritization and patience.
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 nursing instructor if…
- I’m an experienced nurse
- I love teaching
- I’m patient with students
Still torn? Take the Licensed Practical Nurse fit quiz and the Nursing Instructor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, licensed practical nurse or nursing instructor?
Nursing Instructors earn more at the median: $80,250 versus $64,400 for licensed practical nurses, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Licensed Practical Nurses typically train faster (12–18 months) than nursing instructors (6–8 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nursing instructors to grow +17.1% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for licensed practical nurses.