LPN to RN Salary Increase: How Much More Will You Earn? [2025]
Last Updated: December 14, 2025 | Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Quick Links: 6-Month Programs | State-by-State | ROI Calculator | Salary Factors
💰 Quick Answer: How Much More Do RNs Make Than LPNs?
National Average Salary Increase:
+$33,150 per year
LPN: $48,070/year ($23/hr) → RN: $81,220/year ($39/hr)
But it varies dramatically by state:
- 🏆 Highest increase: California → +$66,000/year
- 📊 Most states: +$25,000 to +$40,000/year
- 💼 With experience (5+ years): +$40,000 to +$50,000/year
- 🎓 With BSN: +$45,000 to +$55,000/year
📊 National LPN vs RN Salary Comparison (2025)
| Position | Median Annual Salary | Median Hourly Wage | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | $48,070 | $23.11 | $37,000 | $62,000 |
| RN (Registered Nurse ADN) | $81,220 | $39.05 | $59,000 | $120,000 |
| DIFFERENCE | +$33,150 | +$15.94/hr | +$22,000 | +$58,000 |
📈 What This Means:
- RNs earn 69% more than LPNs on average
- Even new RN graduates (10th percentile) earn $59k vs. experienced LPNs at $62k max
- Top-earning RNs (90th percentile) make nearly double what top LPNs earn
🗺️ State-by-State LPN to RN Salary Increase (Top 20 States)
| State | LPN Median Salary | RN Median Salary | Annual Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $58,000 | $124,000 | +$66,000 | 114% |
| Hawaii | $52,000 | $104,000 | +$52,000 | 100% |
| Massachusetts | $55,000 | $98,000 | +$43,000 | 78% |
| Oregon | $52,000 | $96,000 | +$44,000 | 85% |
| Alaska | $50,000 | $95,000 | +$45,000 | 90% |
| Washington | $53,000 | $92,000 | +$39,000 | 74% |
| New York | $51,000 | $89,000 | +$38,000 | 75% |
| New Jersey | $53,000 | $87,000 | +$34,000 | 64% |
| Nevada | $50,000 | $86,000 | +$36,000 | 72% |
| Connecticut | $54,000 | $85,000 | +$31,000 | 57% |
| Minnesota | $48,000 | $82,000 | +$34,000 | 71% |
| Arizona | $49,000 | $81,000 | +$32,000 | 65% |
| Texas | $47,000 | $77,000 | +$30,000 | 64% |
| Colorado | $49,000 | $79,000 | +$30,000 | 61% |
| Florida | $46,000 | $73,000 | +$27,000 | 59% |
| Georgia | $44,000 | $71,000 | +$27,000 | 61% |
| North Carolina | $44,000 | $69,000 | +$25,000 | 57% |
| Ohio | $45,000 | $70,000 | +$25,000 | 56% |
| Pennsylvania | $47,000 | $73,000 | +$26,000 | 55% |
| Michigan | $48,000 | $74,000 | +$26,000 | 54% |
🏆 Key Takeaways:
- West Coast = Biggest increase: California, Oregon, Washington (+$39k to +$66k)
- High cost-of-living states pay more: Hawaii, Massachusetts, Alaska
- Even lower-paying states: Still see +$25k to +$30k increase
💵 ROI Calculator: Is LPN to RN Worth It?
Example Calculation (12-Month Program):
Investment:
- Tuition & Fees: $20,000
- Books & Supplies: $1,500
- Lost LPN Income (working part-time): $15,000
- Total Investment: $36,500
Return:
- Annual Salary Increase: +$33,000/year
- Break-Even Point: 13 months after graduation
- 5-Year Gain: $165,000 - $36,500 = $128,500 profit
- 10-Year Gain: $330,000 - $36,500 = $293,500 profit
- 30-Year Career Gain: $990,000+
ROI by State (Best vs. Worst):
| State | Program Cost | Annual Increase | Break-Even | 5-Year Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $25,000 | +$66,000 | 5 months | $305,000 |
| Hawaii | $28,000 | +$52,000 | 6 months | $232,000 |
| Texas | $12,000 | +$30,000 | 5 months | $138,000 |
| Florida | $15,000 | +$27,000 | 7 months | $120,000 |
💡 Bottom Line: In EVERY state, LPN to RN pays for itself in under 18 months.
📈 Factors That Affect Your LPN to RN Salary Increase
1. Education Level
| Credential | Median Salary | Increase Over LPN |
|---|---|---|
| LPN (Diploma/Certificate) | $48,070 | Baseline |
| RN with ADN (Associate Degree) | $77,000-$81,000 | +$29,000-$33,000 |
| RN with BSN (Bachelor's Degree) | $83,000-$88,000 | +$35,000-$40,000 |
| RN with MSN (Master's Degree) | $90,000-$110,000 | +$42,000-$62,000 |
💡 Key Insight: Even an ADN gets you 90% of the salary increase. BSN adds $5,000-$10,000 more (worth pursuing later via online RN-to-BSN programs).
2. Years of Experience
| Experience Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary (ADN) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Grad) | $40,000-$45,000 | $60,000-$70,000 | +$20,000-$25,000 |
| 3-5 years | $45,000-$52,000 | $70,000-$82,000 | +$25,000-$30,000 |
| 6-10 years | $48,000-$58,000 | $80,000-$95,000 | +$32,000-$37,000 |
| 10+ years | $52,000-$62,000 | $90,000-$110,000 | +$38,000-$48,000 |
3. Specialty Certifications (RN-Specific)
- 🏥 Critical Care (CCRN): +$8,000-$15,000/year
- 🚑 Emergency Nursing (CEN): +$7,000-$12,000/year
- 🩺 Operating Room (CNOR): +$6,000-$10,000/year
- 👶 Neonatal ICU (NNP): +$10,000-$18,000/year
- 🧠 Oncology (OCN): +$5,000-$10,000/year
4. Work Setting
| Setting | LPN Salary Range | RN Salary Range | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Homes / Long-Term Care | $43,000-$52,000 | $65,000-$78,000 | +$22,000-$26,000 |
| Outpatient Clinics / Physician Offices | $45,000-$55,000 | $70,000-$82,000 | +$25,000-$27,000 |
| Hospitals (Med-Surg) | $48,000-$58,000 | $75,000-$88,000 | +$27,000-$30,000 |
| Hospitals (ICU/ER) | N/A (LPNs rarely work here) | $85,000-$105,000 | +$37,000-$47,000 |
| Travel Nursing | N/A | $90,000-$140,000 | +$42,000-$92,000 |
| Home Health | $46,000-$56,000 | $72,000-$85,000 | +$26,000-$29,000 |
5. Shift Differentials
RNs have more opportunities for high-paying shift work:
- Night shift (7pm-7am): +$5-$10/hour (+$10,000-$20,000/year)
- Weekend shifts: +$3-$7/hour
- Holiday shifts: 1.5x to 2.5x base pay
Example: Night shift ICU RN in California = $110,000-$145,000/year
6. Overtime & PRN Opportunities
| Opportunity | LPN | RN |
|---|---|---|
| Base Overtime Rate | $34-$38/hour | $58-$65/hour |
| PRN (Per Diem) Rate | $28-$35/hour | $45-$65/hour |
| Crisis/Travel OT | Rare | $80-$120/hour |
💼 Beyond Salary: Additional RN Benefits
1. Sign-On Bonuses
- LPNs: $500-$2,000 (rare)
- RNs: $5,000-$30,000 (common in high-demand areas)
2. Tuition Reimbursement
- LPNs: $1,000-$3,000/year
- RNs: $5,000-$10,000/year (for BSN/MSN programs)
3. Retirement & Benefits
| Benefit | LPN | RN |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) Match | 3-5% | 5-8% |
| Health Insurance | Standard | Premium (better coverage) |
| PTO (Paid Time Off) | 2-3 weeks/year | 3-5 weeks/year |
| CEU Allowance | $300-$500/year | $1,000-$2,000/year |
4. Career Advancement Opportunities
LPN Career Ceiling:
- LPN → Senior LPN → LPN Supervisor (maxes out ~$65k)
RN Career Ladder:
- RN → Charge Nurse ($85k-$95k)
- → Nurse Manager ($95k-$120k)
- → Director of Nursing ($110k-$140k)
- → Chief Nursing Officer ($150k-$250k)
OR pursue advanced practice:
- → Nurse Practitioner (MSN) ($110k-$130k)
- → Nurse Anesthetist (DNP) ($180k-$250k)
📊 Real-World Examples: LPN to RN Salary Transformations
Case Study 1: Sarah (Texas)
- Before (LPN, 5 years experience): $47,000/year at nursing home
- After (RN, new grad): $68,000/year at hospital med-surg unit
- Increase: +$21,000/year (+45%)
- After 3 years as RN: $79,000/year (ICU, night shift)
- Total increase: +$32,000/year (+68%)
Case Study 2: Michael (California)
- Before (LPN, 3 years): $56,000/year at clinic
- After (RN, new grad): $98,000/year at hospital (day shift)
- Increase: +$42,000/year (+75%)
- After 2 years: $118,000/year (ER, night shift + overtime)
- Total increase: +$62,000/year (+111%)
Case Study 3: Jennifer (Florida)
- Before (LPN, 8 years): $50,000/year at assisted living
- After (RN, new grad): $63,000/year at hospital
- Year 2: $71,000 (med-surg, charge nurse)
- Year 4: $95,000 (travel nursing, 13-week contracts)
- Total increase: +$45,000/year (+90%)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I make more as a new RN than an experienced LPN?
A: Yes, in most cases. New RN graduates (0 experience) typically earn $60,000-$70,000, while experienced LPNs (10+ years) max out at $52,000-$62,000.
Q: How long until I reach the average RN salary after graduating?
A: 2-3 years. Timeline:
- Year 1 (New Grad RN): $60,000-$70,000 (below average)
- Year 2-3: $75,000-$85,000 (approaching average)
- Year 4+: $81,000-$95,000 (at or above average)
Q: Does the salary increase vary by specialty?
A: Yes. LPNs have limited specialty options. RNs can work in high-paying specialties:
| Specialty | RN Salary Range | Increase Over LPN |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Room (OR) | $85,000-$105,000 | +$37,000-$57,000 |
| Intensive Care (ICU) | $82,000-$110,000 | +$34,000-$62,000 |
| Emergency Room (ER) | $80,000-$100,000 | +$32,000-$52,000 |
| Labor & Delivery | $78,000-$95,000 | +$30,000-$47,000 |
Q: Will my LPN salary increase if I get my RN but stay in the same facility?
A: Yes, but you may need to switch units. Options:
- Best case: Facility promotes you to RN role, +$25,000-$35,000 raise
- Common case: Switch to hospital RN unit, +$30,000-$40,000
- Worst case: Facility can't offer RN role, must leave for new job
💡 Tip: Ask your employer BEFORE starting RN school if they'll hire you as an RN after graduation.
Q: Do RNs get better raises/cost-of-living increases?
A: Yes. Annual raises:
- LPNs: 1-3% ($480-$1,440/year)
- RNs: 2-5% ($1,600-$4,000/year)
Over 10 years, this compounds significantly.
Q: Is the salary increase worth the stress of RN responsibilities?
A: Most RNs say yes. RN roles come with:
- ✅ More autonomy and decision-making
- ✅ Greater respect from physicians/staff
- ✅ More interesting/complex cases
- ✅ Better work-life balance options (travel, PRN)
- ⚠️ More responsibility (but with +$33k raise)
🚀 Ready to Increase Your Nursing Salary?
Your Potential Lifetime Earnings Increase:
$33,000/year × 30-year career = $990,000
(Not including raises, promotions, or investment growth)
Next Steps:
- Choose Your Program Type:
- 6-Month LPN to RN Programs (fastest)
- Accelerated Programs (9-12 months)
- Online/Hybrid Programs (flexibility)
- Calculate Your ROI: Use your state's salary data above
- Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA Application
- Find Affordable Programs: Cheapest Programs by State