CNA vs LPN: pay, jobs and what each takes

Licensed practical nurses, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025): a median of $30.96 an hour ($64,400 a year), against $20.32 ($42,260 a year) for certified nursing assistants, $10.64 an hour more. The open jobs on this board today post medians of $21.25 an hour for certified nursing assistants and $32 for licensed practical nurses.

On this board today: 12,256 open certified nursing assistant jobs and 13,723 licensed practical nurse jobs, read from each employer's own job board. BLS expects about 196,200 openings a year for certified nursing assistants and 51,800 for licensed practical nurses, with employment changing +2.6% and +3.0% over 2025-2035.

Nursing assistants help patients with bathing, dressing, eating, walking and toileting, take vital signs and tell the nurse what they see. Most work in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living. Licensed practical and vocational nurses give everyday nursing care under an RN or doctor: vital signs, medications, wound care and charting. Many work in nursing homes, clinics, home care and correctional health.

A state-approved nurse aide training program (often 75 to 180 hours) and the state competency exam. (BLS: Postsecondary nondegree award.) A state-approved practical nursing program (about a year), then the NCLEX-PN exam. (BLS: Postsecondary nondegree award.) Each occupation's page lists its credentials and who grants them: Certified nursing assistants, Licensed practical nurses.