The lowest paid nursing professionals are nursing assistants, who had a 2022 annual mean wage of approximately $36,220. Nursing assistants play a vital role in healthcare settings by providing basic patient care, such as helping with daily activities, taking vital signs, and assisting nurses and other medical staff. Despite their essential contributions, they typically have the lowest wages among nursing roles due to their limited formal education requirements and scope of practice. In comparison, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn around $55,860 annually, registered nurses earn about $89,010, and nurse practitioners, who have advanced training and responsibilities, earn approximately $124,680. Understanding these wage differences highlights the varying levels of education, responsibility, and skill required across nursing professions.