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

Allied healthcare

Massachusetts employs 13,210 LVNs, with a statewide median of $80,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,220 median is worth closer to $75,822 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow LVNs employment +2.9%, about in line with the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,290 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — single-state license (NLC implementation pending) — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

1. Complete a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12–18 months) at a Massachusetts community college or vocational school — Quinsigamond Community College, North Shore Community College, and Massasoit Community College offer PN programs.
2. Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for your LPN license.
3. Note: Massachusetts enacted NLC compact legislation in 2024 and is in the implementation phase as of mid-2026 — a formal start date has not yet been announced. Until the compact becomes operational, all Massachusetts nurses hold single-state licenses. Check the Board's website for the latest NLC implementation status.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing →

Training in Massachusetts

Mass General Brigham (one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health systems), Beth Israel Lahey Health, Steward Health Care, and numerous long-term care and home health agencies are major LPN employers. Massachusetts LPN wages are significantly above the national median. Boston's density of academic hospitals, research facilities, and specialty practices creates diverse LPN career paths.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

• Assabet Valley Regional Technical School — Certificate
• Berkshire Community College — Certificate
• Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District — Certificate
• Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where LVNs Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

• St Patrick's Manor — Framingham
• Catholic Memorial Home — Fall River
• Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center — Pittsfield
• Care One at Redstone — East Longmeadow
• M I Nursing & Restorative Center — Lawrence
• Regalcare at Courtyard-Medford — Medford

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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.