Licensed Practical Nurse in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Arizona employs 6,530 LVNs, with a statewide median of $77,070 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in Arizona (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Arizona markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona

Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,070 median is worth closer to $76,534 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)

Arizona is projected to grow LVNs employment +15.9%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 555 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arizona License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate license via NLC — regulated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

1. Complete a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12–18 months) covering fundamentals, med-surg, maternal-child, and clinical rotations.
2. Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to the Arizona State Board of Nursing for your LPN license.
3. Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member — Arizona nurses receive a multistate license allowing practice in all 41 NLC states without additional individual licenses.

Official requirements: Arizona State Board of Nursing →

Training in Arizona

Maricopa Community Colleges (Phoenix metro), Pima Community College (Tucson), and Rio Salado College offer LPN programs. Long-term care, home health, and outpatient clinics are the primary LPN employers in Arizona. The NLC multistate license is valuable for travel nursing and cross-border work with New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:

• Arizona Western College — Certificate
• Brookline College-Phoenix — Certificate
• Brookline College-Tempe — Certificate
• Brookline College-Tucson — Certificate

Where LVNs Work in Arizona

Real Arizona nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

• Devon Gables Rehabilitation Center — Tucson
• Sandstone of Tucson Rehab Centre — Tucson
• Casas Adobes Post Acute Rehab Center — Tucson
• Immanuel Campus of Care — Peoria
• Providence Place at Glencroft — Glendale
• Life Care Center of North Glendale — Glendale

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.

Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.

First Steps

Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona State Board of Nursing (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.