8. Starting hourly wage — CNA $15-$20, LPN $22-$30, RN $30-$42
The starting-wage gap between the three roles is the single most misunderstood number in nursing. Per BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, CNAs typically start at $15 to $20 per hour, LPNs at $22 to $30 per hour, and RNs at $30 to $42 per hour depending on state and setting.
Metro premiums are significant. Urban hospitals in states like California, Massachusetts, and Washington regularly pay 20 to 40 percent above these baselines. Rural and long-term-care employers pay closer to the low end but often include sign-on bonuses, tuition reimbursement, or shift differentials that narrow the gap.
The RN-to-LPN wage gap tends to be roughly $8 to $12 per hour. Over a full year of 40-hour weeks, that translates to $16,000 to $25,000 more before overtime, differentials, or specialty certifications. That gap is what makes the extra training year mathematically justifiable for many candidates.
