Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Missouri employs 14,700 LVNs, with a statewide median of $61,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $61,530 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $48,580
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $70,230
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,120
- Employed in Missouri
- 14,700
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Missouri markets:
- St. Louis metro
- $65,120 (5,180 employed)
- Kansas City metro
- $64,420 (4,570 employed)
- Columbia
- $61,670 (800 employed)
- Springfield
- $61,350 (1,160 employed)
- Jefferson City
- $60,340 (350 employed)
- Joplin
- $58,920 (400 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,530 median stretches to roughly $67,764 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow LVNs employment +2.3%, about in line with the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate compact license available — regulated by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
- Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (~12 months; career-technical centers and community colleges are the affordable route).
- Submit fingerprints and pass the NCLEX-PN.
- Missouri is a Nurse Licensure Compact member — declare Missouri as your primary residence and your license works in all compact states.
Official requirements: Missouri State Board of Nursing →
Training in Missouri
Missouri's compact membership makes its LPN license portable across most of the country — useful if you might relocate. Long-term care facilities statewide hire continuously, and the low cost of living stretches nursing wages.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Applied Tech — Certificate
- Bolivar Technical College — Certificate
- Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center — Certificate
- Carthage R9 School District-Carthage Technical Center — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in Missouri
Real Missouri nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- Bethesda Dilworth — Saint Louis
- John Knox Village Care Center — Lees Summit
- Delmar Gardens West — Town and Country
- Rosewood Rehab and Healthcare Center — Independence
- Lutheran Convalescent Home — Webster Groves
- Athene Nursing and Rehabilitation — Town and Country
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 Missouri?
The median wage for LVNs in Missouri is $61,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,120. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Missouri?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate compact license available, overseen by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (~12 months; career-technical centers and community colleges are the affordable route).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Missouri?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Missouri metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $65,120, followed by Kansas City metro ($64,420), Columbia ($61,670). 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 Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Applied Tech, Bolivar Technical College, Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in Missouri?
Missouri projects LVNs employment to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,260 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri 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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.