Licensed Practical Nurse in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Florida employs 38,620 LVNs, with a statewide median of $61,770 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Florida (May 2025)
- Florida median pay
- $61,770 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,450
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $64,710
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $74,320
- Employed in Florida
- 38,620
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Florida markets:
- Sarasota–Bradenton
- $63,770 (1,910 employed)
- Miami–Fort Lauderdale
- $62,610 (8,900 employed)
- Tampa Bay
- $62,490 (5,870 employed)
- Jacksonville
- $62,070 (3,050 employed)
- Fort Myers
- $61,530 (1,170 employed)
- Orlando
- $61,030 (4,430 employed)
- Pensacola
- $59,990 (870 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Florida
Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,770 median is worth closer to $59,739 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)
Florida is projected to grow LVNs employment +6.7%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,478 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Florida License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the Florida Board of Nursing.
- Complete a Florida Board-approved practical nursing program (~12 months; technical colleges are the affordable route).
- Apply through flhealthsource.gov with Livescan fingerprinting.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — your FL multistate license works in other compact states.
Official requirements: Florida Board of Nursing →
Training in Florida
Florida calls it LPN (unlike Texas/California's 'LVN') and is in the Nurse Licensure Compact — a real advantage if you might move. Long-term care and home health hire heavily; technical college programs cost a fraction of private schools.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:
- ATA Career Education — Certificate
- Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations — Certificate
- Advance Science International College — Certificate
- Ana G. Mendez University — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in Florida
Real Florida nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- Miami Jewish Health Systems, Inc — Miami
- Orlando Health and Rehabilitation Center — Orlando
- Sunrise Health & Rehabilitation Center — Sunrise
- Victoria Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc. — Miami
- Balanced Healthcare — Saint Petersburg
- Unity Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center — Miami
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
How much do LVNs make in Florida?
The median wage for LVNs in Florida is $61,770 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,320. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Florida?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), overseen by the Florida Board of Nursing. Complete a Florida Board-approved practical nursing program (~12 months; technical colleges are the affordable route).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Florida?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Florida metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Florida metro areas, Sarasota–Bradenton leads at $63,770, followed by Miami–Fort Lauderdale ($62,610), Tampa Bay ($62,490). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Florida?
Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, Advance Science International College. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in Florida?
Florida projects LVNs employment to change +6.7% from 2026 to 2034, with about 3,478 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Florida 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 Florida wages · Florida 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.