Rung 1 of 4
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse · $64,400
Licensed Practical Nurses typically earn $64,400 a year, and about 648,410 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
RN Career Paths: NP, CRNA, and What Each Step Pays
Typical pay at each step, from federal wage data (May 2025): LPN / LVN $64,400, Registered Nurse $97,550, Nurse Practitioner $132,300, Nurse Anesthetist $236,590. Each move has its own guide below.
Pay at each rung
BLS OES May 2025+$104,290
+$34,750
+$33,150
Typical annual pay · bar length is pay · click a rung
Rung 2 of 4 · this guide+$33,150 a year
LPN to RN
Registered Nurse · $97,550
Moving from LPN to RN raises typical pay from $64,400 to $97,550 a year, a gain of about $33,150. That comes from the latest government wage data, May 2025. By the hour, $30.96 becomes $46.90, a difference of $15.94.
Rung 3 of 4+$34,750 a year
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner · $132,300
Nurse Practitioners typically earn $132,300 a year, and about 323,040 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 41% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
Rung 4 of 4+$104,290 a year
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Anesthetist · $236,590
Nurse Anesthetists typically earn $236,590 a year, and about 51,840 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
What each step pays
BLS OES May 2025 · typical annual pay
Questions about the RN career path
- How long does it take to go from LPN to RN?
- An LPN-to-RN bridge to an associate degree commonly runs about 12 to 18 months, since schools often give credit for prior coursework and experience. An LPN-to-BSN takes about 2 to 3 years. Passing the NCLEX-RN and applying for state licensure come after graduation, and part-time enrollment stretches the timeline.
- What is an LPN to RN bridge program?
- A bridge program carries a licensed practical nurse to an RN credential, either an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor's, with credit for prior coursework and experience. Many community colleges and universities offer them, including formats with online coursework and local clinicals. Availability, prerequisites, and credit vary by school and state.