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

Allied healthcare

New York employs 39,400 LVNs, with a statewide median of $67,180 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New York licensing picture, and where to train.

What LVNs Earn in New York (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in New York

Prices in New York run about 8% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $67,180 median is worth closer to $62,261 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New York (2024–2034)

New York is projected to grow LVNs employment +3.8%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 4,400 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New York License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions.

1. Complete a state-approved practical nursing program (~12 months; BOCES adult education programs are New York's affordable route).
2. Apply to NYSED ($143 fee), then register with Pearson VUE and pass the NCLEX-PN.
3. Note: New York is NOT in the Nurse Licensure Compact — your NY license is NY-only, and licenses are issued for life with re-registration every 3 years.

Official requirements: NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions →

Training in New York

BOCES LPN programs across upstate New York are among the cheapest paths into nursing anywhere in the country. NYC pay is high but so is competition; upstate long-term care facilities are chronically short-staffed and hire aggressively.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New York include:

• AMG School of Nursing — Certificate
• Access Careers — Certificate
• Access Careers-Islandia — Certificate
• Albany BOCES-Adult Practical Nursing Program — Certificate

Where LVNs Work in New York

Real New York nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:

• Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale — Riverdale
• The Plaza Rehab and Nursing Center — Bronx
• Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center — Roosevelt Island
• Kings Harbor Multicare Center — Bronx
• Isabella Geriatric Center Inc — New York
• Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center — New York

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), New York statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions (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 New York wages · New York 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.