There are currently an estimated 655,000 licensed practical nurses in the United States. The licensed practical nurse job market is expected to grow by 5.3% between 2022 and 2032.
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 38,400 licensed practical nurses. That number is based on 34,900 additional licensed practical nurses, and the retirement of 3,500 existing licensed practical nurses.
What’s the supply of licensed practical nurses?
The licensed practical nurse industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Florida
Licensed Practical Nurse job market by state
| State Name | Employed Licensed Practical Nurses |
|---|---|
| Texas | 72,010 |
| California | 66,350 |
| Florida | 47,550 |
| New York | 45,950 |
| Ohio | 40,660 |
| Pennsylvania | 36,890 |
| Georgia | 26,040 |
| Tennessee | 24,000 |
| Virginia | 21,920 |
| Louisiana | 20,340 |
| Illinois | 19,790 |
| North Carolina | 17,810 |
| New Jersey | 17,240 |
| Minnesota | 16,840 |
| Massachusetts | 16,680 |
| Missouri | 15,850 |
| Indiana | 15,480 |
| Michigan | 14,920 |
| Alabama | 12,860 |
| Arkansas | 12,350 |
| Oklahoma | 11,490 |
| Maryland | 10,630 |
| Kentucky | 10,140 |
| South Carolina | 9,590 |
| Mississippi | 8,970 |
| Connecticut | 7,750 |
| Wisconsin | 7,450 |
| Washington | 7,380 |
| Kansas | 7,350 |
| Arizona | 6,610 |
| Iowa | 5,990 |
| West Virginia | 5,900 |
| Nebraska | 5,410 |
| Colorado | 5,340 |
| Puerto Rico | 4,300 |
| Oregon | 3,090 |
| Nevada | 2,630 |
| North Dakota | 2,530 |
| Montana | 2,470 |
| Idaho | 2,420 |
| New Hampshire | 2,200 |
| Delaware | 2,170 |
| New Mexico | 2,140 |
| Utah | 2,040 |
| District of Columbia | 1,820 |
| South Dakota | 1,770 |
| Hawaii | 1,270 |
| Vermont | 1,260 |
| Maine | 1,210 |
| Rhode Island | 1,040 |
| Wyoming | 600 |
| Alaska | 520 |
| Guam | 110 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 80 |