[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Licensed practical nurse (LPN) and certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs both facilitate quick timelines and prepare graduates to provide entry-level patient care. [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/lpn-lvn/”]LPNs provide a higher level of care[/hen-ui-link] than a CNA in most settings. They work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians monitoring patients, administering first aid, and updating health records. CNAs provide basic care and help patients with daily living tasks under the direction of LPNs and RNs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs practice with more independence than CNAs and can [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/lpn-vs-cna-salary-differences/”]perform duties[/hen-ui-link] beyond those of CNAs, such as assisting with minor surgeries, monitoring catheters, and administering injections.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below highlights the differences and similarities of the two careers. Because LPNs have more responsibility and autonomy than CNAs, it is important to understand the variations in salary, educational requirements, and workplace options.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About LPN’s and CNA’s[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is an LPN higher than a CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs hold practical nurse licenses and receive more training and responsibility than CNAs. CNAs must pass a competency exam in most states, but they fill assistant roles and often work under the supervision of LPNs. In addition, LPNs earn higher salaries than CNAs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become an LPN after CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming a [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]CNA[/hen-ui-link] offers valuable experience in caring for patients’ daily needs and performing basic medical services. CNAs may be able to transfer credits toward their LPN certificates or diplomas, and some schools offer CNA-to-LPN bridge programs. CNAs should plan for at least a year of schooling to become an LPN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What is the fastest way to become an LPN?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Enrolling in an LPN training program at a vocational school or community college offers the quickest route to earning LPN credentials. Students can complete most programs in 1-2 years. Some schools and programs may offer accelerated tracks, which can cut the timeline to under one year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Should I become a CNA before an LPN?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The advantages of becoming a CNA include spending weeks or months, instead of years, in school; discovering whether you like nursing without spending a lot of time and money on training; earning money toward further education; and [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/ways-to-get-professional-nursing-experience///”]gaining experience working with patients and nursing[/hen-ui-link] staff in healthcare settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]LPN vs. CNA: Job Duties[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs and CNAs focus on direct patient care, and their duties may overlap to a certain extent. In both positions, these healthcare team members spend much of their time assisting patients with day-to-day needs, such as cleanliness, mobility, and health monitoring. The lists below provide specific differences and similarities between the two jobs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]LPN Job Duties[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs’ job duties combine helping patients with daily living and providing basic nursing care.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Typical tasks include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]CNA Job Duties[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As part of medical care teams, CNAs work under the direction of RNs and LPNs to provide the following services:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top-Paying Work Settings[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most CNAs and LPNs find employment in assisted living and retirement communities, home healthcare services, hospitals, and nursing care facilities, but the top-paying industries for both positions include less common employers. Bigger paychecks can be earned in higher education, research and development, and outpatient care centers. CNAs, in particular, can see increases of around $10,000 per year in these work settings, compared to more typical healthcare worksites.[/hen-ui-text]

Top-Paying Industries for CNAs	Average Salary
Junior Colleges	$49,250
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	$44,870
Federal Executive Branch	$41,210
Scientific Research and Development Services	$39,630
Outpatient Care Centers	$38,420

Top-Paying Industries for LPNs	Average Salary
Junior Colleges	$60,570
Outpatient Care Centers	$56,320
Insurance Carriers	$56,260
Religious Organizations	$55,100
Scientific Research and Development Services	$54,490

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]LPN vs. CNA Salary and Employment Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the average annual compensation for LPNs at $50,090, with the lowest 10% of earners making below $35,570 and the top 10% making at least $65,520. The BLS reports an average annual salary of $32,050 for CNAs, with the lowest 10% paid less than $22,750 and the highest 10% making more than $42,110. The average hourly wage figures translate to $24.08 for LPNs and $15.41 for CNAs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Projected employment outlooks for 2019-2029 indicate that LPNs should see a growth rate of 9% and CNAs can expect an 8% growth rate.[/hen-ui-text]

Licensed Practical Nurse	Certified Nursing Assistant
Average Salary: $50,090	Average Salary: $32,050
Average Hourly Wage: $24.08	Average Hourly Wage: $15.41
Projected Job Growth: 9%	Projected Job Growth: 8%

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Top-Paying States for LPNs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Geography plays a significant role in how much LPNs earn, and the table below lists the five highest-paying states. LPNs fare the best in the Western United States, with the exception of those in Massachusetts. These top-paying states bump up LPN earning potential by at least $9,000 a year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The highest-employing states include [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link] with an average annual salary of $64,090, Texas with a $48,380 average salary, and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/new-york/”]New York[/hen-ui-link] with a salary of $51,300.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]The states in 2020 with the highest annual pay for licensed practical nurses are:[/hen-ui-text]

Licensed Practical Nurse	Average Salary
Alaska	$67,620
California	$64,090
Massachusetts	$60,400
Washington	$59,780
Nevada	$59,700

[hen-ui-article-card title=”Find Out More About How Much LPNs Make” href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/lpn-lvn/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Top-Paying States for CNAs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The top-paying states for CNAs bookend the nation on the East Coast and the Pacific. CNAs in these locales can expect to earn average annual salaries of at least $5,000 more than the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]California tops the list of states with the highest employment levels of CNAs, with an average annual salary of $39,280, followed by [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/florida/”]Florida[/hen-ui-link] at $28,660 and New York at $40,620.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]The states in 2020 with the highest annual pay for certified nursing assistants are:[/hen-ui-text]

Top-Paying States for Certified Nursing Assistants	Average Salary
Alaska	$42,500
New York	$40,620
California	$39,280
Hawaii	$38,650
Massachusetts	$37,160

[hen-ui-article-card title=”Find Out More About How Much CNAs Make” href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Education and Licensing[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Entry-level CNA and LPN education and credentialing offer faster routes into the nursing field than traditional nursing schools. Neither [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]CNA training programs[/hen-ui-link] nor [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]LPN schools[/hen-ui-link] award degrees but instead lead to diplomas or certificates. Rather than spending 2-4 years in undergraduate nursing programs, CNAs can complete their training in a few months, and LPNs can complete their training in about a year. Both CNAs and LPNs need to pass an examination to start working in their respective positions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs and LPNs go through similar steps to earn their licenses and certifications, but important differences do exist. LPNs receive additional training in nursing procedures, along with preparation for working more autonomously and supervising CNAs and other staff. The sections below outline the expected curriculums, examinations, and licensing procedures that CNAs and LPNs experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How to Become an LPN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first step to becoming an LPN consists of finding and applying to an accredited LPN program at a vocational, technical, or community college. Some high schools and hospitals may also offer training. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED certificate, and some schools may require an entrance exam, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Admitted students can expect to complete 45-40 credits of coursework in nursing fundamentals, anatomy, biology, and pharmacology, along with lab components and 500-750 clinical hours at a hospital, nursing home, or healthcare facility.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates of LPN programs must take the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm” target=”_blank”]National Council Licensure Examination[/hen-ui-link] (NCLEX-PN), which tests their preparation and readiness to begin work in practical nursing. Once they receive a passing score, candidates qualify for state licensure as an LPN — known as a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]licensed vocational nurse[/hen-ui-link] in California and Texas.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How to Become a CNA[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective CNAs can enroll in state-approved training programs through community colleges, hospitals, and organizations like the American Red Cross. High school graduates and GED certificate holders qualify for admission. Some states allow on-the-job CNA training at nursing and assisted living centers and other healthcare facilities. Many hospitals will allow [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/top-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree//”]BSN nursing[/hen-ui-link] students to work as CNAs after their first year in nursing school. This is a good way for students to get additional patient care experience and network, increasing employment opportunities after graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can complete some of their training online, but hands-on experience may also be required to practice such skills as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, basic nursing care, and using automated defibrillators. In-person or online coursework typically includes anatomy, physiology, and patient care fundamentals and safety.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNA credentialing procedures vary by state. Most states certify CNAs to begin working once they have completed 75 hours of instruction and clinical experience. CNAs must also pass a competency examination. Certification must be renewed every two years, and states may require completion of continuing education credits.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”][hen-ui-article-card title=”18 Reasons to Choose a Career as a CNA” href=”/cna/reasons-to-choose-a-career-as-a-cna//” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Guide” href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”Top 10 Challenges for a LPN” href=”/articles/top-challenges-for-a-lpn/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-article-card title=”LPN vs. RN Differences” href=”/resources//lpn-vs-rn-roles/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1617058506/experts/Brandy_Gleason.jpg” img-alt=”Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC, is a nursing professional with nearly 20 years of varied nursing experience. Gleason currently teaches as an assistant professor of nursing within a prelicensure nursing program and coaches graduate students. Her passion and area of research centers around coaching nurses and nursing students to build resilience and avoid burnout.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Gleason is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]here[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]