[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play vital roles in nursing care. The difference between CNA and LPN roles is generally in the type of care they provide.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs help patients with daily functions, such as eating and bathing. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]LPNs perform basic nursing functions[/hen-ui-link], such as administering medication, updating patient health records, and assisting nurses. While both CNAs and LPNs must pass certification examinations, only [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/lpn-lvn/”]LPNs are licensed nurses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are trying to decide between an [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-cna/”]LPN or CNA[/hen-ui-link], this guide can help you understand both roles and the differences between them.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]LPN vs. CNA Salary Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because of their more extensive education and training, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]LPNs earn[/hen-ui-link] higher salaries [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]than CNAs[/hen-ui-link]. The median CNA salary is lower than the U.S. median salary of $41,950, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while the median LPN salary is higher. Salaries vary based on experience, type of workplace, and geographic location and demand.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Salary Differences[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Wage[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Hourly Wage[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]LPN[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]$48,820[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage”]$23.00[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]CNA[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]$32,050[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Wage”]$15.00[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]LPN vs. CNA Core Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-cna/”]LPN and CNA differences[/hen-ui-link] involve training and scope of practice—the tasks they are educated in and considered competent to perform.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While nursing homes and hospitals are the most common workplaces for both types of health professionals, [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/different-healthcare-career-paths-for-lpns/”]LPN work settings[/hen-ui-link] often include physician offices, [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/job-settings-most-common-for-cnas/”]unlike CNAs[/hen-ui-link]. The table below outlines other differences, which explain much of the CNA and LPN salary differences as well.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Please note that each state varies by requirements. Some states also use different terminology, with Texas and California referencing LPNs as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), though the work is the same.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Core Differences[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Requirements to Become (training, coursework, etc.)[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]License/Certification[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Scope of Practice[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Work Environments[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]LPN[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]Minimum one year[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Requirements to Become (training, coursework, etc.)”]NCLEX-PN[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”License/Certification”]Limited and directed[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Scope of Practice”] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Includes some medical tasks[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Taking vital signs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administering medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]Assisting nurses[/hen-ui-link] and physicians[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Updating medical records[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Duties and Responsibilities”] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing homes[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospitals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assisted living and other nursing facilities[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Home healthcare[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Physicians offices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]CNA[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]Minimum four weeks[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Requirements to Become (training, coursework, etc.)”]State certification examination[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”License/Certification”]Assisting with daily living[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Scope of Practice”] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Primarily assisting patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Helping with eating, dressing, bathing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Duties and Responsibilities”] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing homes[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospitals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assisted living[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Home healthcare[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Government facilities[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]FAQs: LPN vs. CNA Salary[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Who gets paid more, LPNs or CNAs?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs get paid more than CNAs. The median annual salary for an LPN is $48,820, compared to $32,050 for a CNA. However, experience, local demand, workplace type, and geographic settings make a difference. The highest-paid CNAs can make more than some LPNs. Still comparing most LPN vs. CNA (or LVN vs. CNA, in Texas or California) salaries, LPNs generally earn more.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is an LPN like a CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An LPN is like a CNA in that they both work in most healthcare settings and homes and perform basic healthcare tasks. However, an LPN focuses on assisting nurses and physicians, and most of their work is medical. A CNA focuses on assisting patients with daily living activities, such as eating, bathing, and dressing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How much does an LPN make an hour?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The median LPN hourly salary is $23.00. The salary you would expect to earn as an LPN will depend on experience, local cost of living, and your workplace.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are CNAs considered nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs are not considered nurses. The term nurse refers to somebody with a nursing license, either a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). However, many CNAs become nurses by taking additional training, passing the certification examination, and becoming licensed.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34413,34041,34044,38809″][/hen-ui-article-row]