Nursing is hard, and yet it is satisfying. Overall, knowing all about a patient, being able to help them when they are most vulnerable, and having the knowledge and capacity to make a difference in their lives make nursing rewarding and, at the same time, challenging. Does the compensation justify the effort?
With this salary guide, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can learn what the cost of living in New York is, how much LPNs make in New York, how to find high-paying LPN jobs, and more.
Table 1. Average LPN Wages in the Different Areas, Cities, and Towns of New York
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average LPN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in New York (most recent information as of February 2024). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor LPNs in New York the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
What's the Average LPN Salary in the State of New York?
LPN pay in New York varies significantly, from $21.96 to $30.31 per hour, depending on the location. Although LPN pay differs according to location, it might also vary depending on other factors, such as working independently by picking up per diem LPN nursing jobs. It might also vary according to the kind of facility the LPN works in (hospitals, nursing homes, home healthcare, etc.).
Overall, in terms of percentiles, the pay range in New York typically varies from $46,240 to $71,610 annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the percentiles for New York are as follows:
- 90th percentile: $71,610
- 75th percentile: $63,660
- 50th percentile: $57,670
- 25th percentile: $49,500
- 10th percentile: $46,240
What Do the Percentiles Mean?
The percentiles for LPNs in New York explain the pay range for a certain percentage of nurses. For example, the 90th percentile indicates that 10 percent of the LPNs working in New York typically earn more than $71,610, and 90 percent earn less. Accordingly, 10 percent of the total LPNs typically earn less than $46,240, while 90 percent earn more. Discover the ten highest-paying states for LPNs here.
How Much Do Nurses Make per Hour in New York?
The table below compares the average LPN salary per hour and year in New York and the United States:
Table 2. Comparison of Wages in New York with the National Average
LPNs in New York make a higher wage than the national average.
Interestingly, LPN pay in New York per hour can be higher with PRN nursing jobs. Check out some of these jobs in cities near you:
Picking up PRN jobs with Nursa might give you a higher earning potential as an LPN in New York. Table 1 also shows some towns and cities with top-paying PRN jobs.
How Can I Earn More as an LPN in New York?
As explained before, several factors influence the average nurse salary in New York:
- Per diem nursing: Working as an independent LPN and picking up PRN shifts might give you a higher earning potential, given that healthcare facilities urgently need nurses and are willing to pay higher-than-average hourly rates for last-minute or other short-term coverage. Therefore, per diem LPN jobs in New York are an intelligent way to increase earnings.
- Facility: Some types of facilities typically offer LPNs higher pay. For example, LPNs make significantly more in nursing care facilities than physicians' offices.
- Location: Different towns and cities typically pay higher or lower wages based on the cost of living and other factors.
In summary, you can improve your pay as an LPN in New York. One of the best ways is through per diem nursing shifts. With Nursa, you can pick shifts at your convenience throughout New York.
Cost of Living Considerations for New York
Knowing how much you can earn in New York may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment.
The cost of living in a city will give LPNs enough information to calculate if their wages are enough to sustain their families.
According to the MIT living wage calculator, the living wage by family composition in New York is the following:
- $26.86 per hour for one adult (with no children)
- $62.46 for a single parent with two children
- $33.53 for two working adults (with two kids)
Compared to the average mean wage of $27.67 in New York for LPNs, the cost of living is high, showing the necessity for higher LPN wages.
LPN Employment and Location Quotient in New York
The location quotient is an indicator that compares how much of a specific job there is in an area to the national average. A location quotient under one indicates a lower concentration of LPNs working in a particular location than nationally. On the other hand, a location quotient higher than one means a higher concentration of LPNs working in that area.
In the table below, we present the number of employed LPNs for the different areas of New York and the location quotient for that specific area:
Table 3: Number of Employed RNs and Location Quotient in the Different Areas of New York
Overall, approximately 38,590 licensed practical nurses are working in New York.
How Can I Become an LPN in New York?
With certain considerations, to become an LPN in the Empire State, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a high school graduate certification.
- Graduate from an LPN nursing education program approved by the New York Board of Nursing.
- Complete the coursework on required infection control.
- Pass the NCLEX for LPNs.
- Apply for and maintain a valid license to work in New York.
You must renew your LPN registration certificate every three years. There is a New York LPN license verification process you can follow to know more about the status of your license.
Furthermore, once you have an active license, you can apply for PRN nursing jobs in New York and start making high hourly pay.
LPN Nursing Schools in New York
The New York State Education Department provides LPNs with a list of programs offered for different regions in New York. Some of these nursing schools include the following:
- Broome-Delaware-Tioga BOCES
- Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC)
- Eastern Suffolk BOCES
- AMG School of Licensed Practical Nursing
- Orange-Ulster BOCES
- Mildred Elley School
- North Country Community College
- Trocaire College
Overall, the New York Board of Nursing regulates all LPNs and other nursing professionals within New York, such as registered nurses (RNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
Are you considering advancing your career and becoming an RN? Learn about LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
Find Per Diem Independent Contractor Jobs in New York
The best way to pick up fantastic shifts with high pay in New York is through PRN nursing jobs. Finding the right jobs with high wages will help LPNs feel valued within the healthcare team and allow them to give patients the care they deserve.
If you want high-paying jobs, you should try Nursa. With Nursa, LPNs can get higher pay and enjoy all the other advantages of PRN work.
