Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Pennsylvania employs 38,260 LVNs, with a statewide median of $63,940 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)
- Pennsylvania median pay
- $63,940 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,500
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $72,810
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,750
- Employed in Pennsylvania
- 38,260
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Pennsylvania markets:
- Philadelphia metro
- $70,710 (15,920 employed)
- Lehigh Valley
- $64,050 (2,230 employed)
- Lancaster
- $63,290 (1,740 employed)
- Pittsburgh
- $63,060 (5,800 employed)
- Harrisburg
- $62,680 (2,180 employed)
- Scranton–Wilkes-Barre
- $61,740 (2,270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania
Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,940 median stretches to roughly $65,512 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)
Pennsylvania is projected to grow LVNs employment +2.2%, about in line with the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,020 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate compact license available — regulated by the PA State Board of Nursing.
- Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (minimum 1,500 hours, ~12–18 months; career and technology centers are the affordable route).
- Complete the 3-hour child-abuse-recognition course, submit fingerprints, and pass the NCLEX-PN.
- Pennsylvania now participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact — you can apply for a multistate license ($135 initial) that works in other compact states.
Official requirements: PA State Board of Nursing →
Training in Pennsylvania
PA's recent entry into the Nurse Licensure Compact is a real perk — a PA multistate LPN license travels. Career and technology center programs across the state cost far less than private schools; long-term care facilities hire constantly.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:
- All-State Career School — Certificate
- Bucks County Community College — Certificate
- Butler County Community College — Certificate
- Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in Pennsylvania
Real Pennsylvania nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- Fair Acres Geriatric Center — Lima
- Northampton County-Gracedale — Nazareth
- Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation — Allentown
- Friendship Rehab and Health — Beaver
- Parkhouse Rehabilitation and Nursing Center — Royersford
- Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — Lancaster
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 Pennsylvania?
The median wage for LVNs in Pennsylvania is $63,940 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,500, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,750. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate compact license available, overseen by the PA State Board of Nursing. Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (minimum 1,500 hours, ~12–18 months; career and technology centers are the affordable route).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Pennsylvania?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Pennsylvania metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $70,710, followed by Lehigh Valley ($64,050), Lancaster ($63,290). 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 Pennsylvania?
Real Pennsylvania options include All-State Career School, Bucks County Community College, Butler County Community 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania projects LVNs employment to change +2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,020 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the PA 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.