There are currently an estimated 651,400 licensed practical nurses in the United States. The licensed practical nurse job market is expected to grow by 2.6% between 2024 and 2034.
How employable are licensed practical nurses?
CareerExplorer rates licensed practical nurses with a B employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 17,100 licensed practical nurses.
What’s the supply of licensed practical nurses?
The licensed practical nurse industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Ohio
Licensed Practical Nurse job market by state
| State Name | Employed Licensed Practical Nurses |
|---|---|
| California | 82,850 |
| Texas | 57,560 |
| Ohio | 39,900 |
| New York | 39,400 |
| Florida | 38,620 |
| Pennsylvania | 38,260 |
| Georgia | 21,060 |
| Tennessee | 20,830 |
| North Carolina | 18,010 |
| Louisiana | 17,600 |
| Illinois | 17,440 |
| New Jersey | 17,410 |
| Virginia | 15,550 |
| Missouri | 14,700 |
| Indiana | 14,480 |
| Massachusetts | 13,210 |
| Minnesota | 12,840 |
| Alabama | 11,580 |
| Oklahoma | 11,540 |
| Michigan | 10,880 |
| Arkansas | 10,010 |
| Mississippi | 9,850 |
| Maryland | 9,560 |
| South Carolina | 9,400 |
| Kentucky | 8,570 |
| Connecticut | 8,540 |
| Kansas | 7,530 |
| Wisconsin | 7,390 |
| Washington | 6,780 |
| Arizona | 6,530 |
| West Virginia | 6,050 |
| Iowa | 5,510 |
| Colorado | 4,920 |
| Nebraska | 4,580 |
| Oregon | 4,260 |
| Nevada | 3,350 |
| New Mexico | 2,460 |
| Delaware | 2,240 |
| New Hampshire | 2,220 |
| South Dakota | 2,050 |
| North Dakota | 1,920 |
| Idaho | 1,880 |
| Utah | 1,680 |
| Montana | 1,620 |
| Rhode Island | 1,290 |
| Vermont | 1,130 |
| District of Columbia | 1,040 |
| Hawaii | 840 |
| Maine | 760 |
| Wyoming | 480 |
| Alaska | 290 |