Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse vs. Certified Nursing Assistant
The short answer
Many LPN/LVNs start as CNAs. The CNA path is shorter; the LPN/LVN path takes about a year and leads to a nursing license.
LPN/LVNCNA
- What they do
- LPNs and LVNs give basic medical care to people who are ill, injured, recovering or living with disabilities. California and Texas use the title LVN.Nursing assistants give patients basic care and help them with everyday activities like bathing, eating and moving around.
- Typical entry-level education (BLS)
- Postsecondary nondegree awardPostsecondary nondegree award
- Programs
- Practical / vocational nursing (LPN/LVN) programsCNA (nurse aide) training programs
- Licensing
- After an approved program you must pass an exam to be licensed by your state.Passing the exam puts you on your state's registry, which you need to work in a nursing home. Titles and rules vary by state.
- Licensing exam
- NCLEX-PNSet by your state
- U.S. median pay
- $30.96/hr ($64,400/yr)$20.32/hr ($42,260/yr)
- Projected growth, 2025–35
- +3%+2.6%
- Openings per year
- 51,800196,200
- Interstate compact
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN)None
Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse hubCertified Nursing Assistant hubLPN/LVN pay by stateCNA pay by state
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Certified Nursing Assistant, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.