There are currently an estimated 724,500 licensed practical nurses in the United States. The licensed practical nurse job market is expected to grow by 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are licensed practical nurses?
CareerExplorer rates licensed practical nurses with an A employability rating, meaning this career should provide great employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 92,400 licensed practical nurses. That number is based on 88,900 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 |