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

Allied healthcare

Mississippi employs 9,850 LVNs, with a statewide median of $50,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,220 median stretches to roughly $57,724 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow LVNs employment +9.3%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 940 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.

1. Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at a Mississippi community college).
2. Apply to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and clear a background check.
3. Pass the NCLEX-PN. Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so the license can work across compact states.

Official requirements: Mississippi Board of Nursing →

Training in Mississippi

Affordable, fast paid-healthcare entry via Mississippi community colleges. Check NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

• Coahoma Community College — Certificate
• Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Certificate
• East Central Community College — Certificate
• East Mississippi Community College — Certificate

Where LVNs Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

• Brandon Community Care Center — Brandon
• The Pillars of Biloxi — Biloxi
• Coastal Health and Rehabilitation Center — Gulfport
• Manhattan Community Care Center — Jackson
• Hattiesburg Health & Rehab Center — Hattiesburg
• Diversicare of Moss Point — Moss Point

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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi 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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.