Licensed Practical Nurses
Wages & Outlook
Wages
Wages vary based on the LPN's experience. Wages also vary by area of the country and employer. For example, LPNs who work in home health care services tend to earn more than those who work in doctors' offices.
Benefits also vary by employer. Most full-time LPNs receive typical benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time LPNs rarely receive benefits.
View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:
Employment
In Minnesota, about 18,187 licensed practical nurses work in this large occupation.
Major employers:
- Nursing and personal care agencies
- Hospitals
- Doctors' offices
- Home health care agencies
Outlook
Nursing homes will offer the most new jobs for LPNs. In part, this is because the number of elderly people in need of long-term care is rising. In addition, there is an increasing number of patients released from the hospital who have not recovered enough to return home.
Fast growth is also expected in home health care services. This is in response to two factors. One, the number of older people with disabilities is growing. Two, people prefer to be cared for in their own homes. In addition, technological advances will make it possible to bring more complex treatments into the home. This is true for doctors' offices and clinics as well, where more complicated procedures can now be performed. As a result, employment of LPNs is expected to grow quickly in doctors' offices, clinics, and emergency medical centers.
LPNs seeking jobs in hospitals may face competition as the number of hospital jobs declines. As in many large occupations, replacing LPNs who leave the field will be a major source of job openings.
| Employment | Employment Change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| U S | 752,300 | 920,800 | 168,500 | 22.4% |
| Minnesota | 19,288 | 23,648 | 4,360 | 22.6% |
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| Central Minnesota | 2,498 | 3,134 | 636 | 25.5% |
| Northeast Minnesota | 1,487 | 1,786 | 299 | 20.1% |
| Northwest Minnesota | 3,019 | 3,688 | 669 | 22.2% |
| Southeast Minnesota | 2,257 | 2,729 | 472 | 20.9% |
| Southwest Minnesota | 1,888 | 2,136 | 248 | 13.1% |
| Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN | 8,184 | 10,141 | 1,957 | 23.9% |
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.
