Career comparison
Licensed Practical Nurse vs. Registered Nurse
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Registered nurses earn more at the median ($97,550 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. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Licensed Practical Nurse | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,400 ($30.96/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,740 – $83,440 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 51,800 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 12–18 months | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | NCLEX-PN license | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities, home health, physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
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
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
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 registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Licensed Practical Nurse fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, licensed practical nurse or registered nurse?
Registered Nurses earn more at the median: $97,550 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 registered nurses (2–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects registered nurses to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for licensed practical nurses.