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Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salary in the United States

How much does a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health in the United States is $55,136 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,141
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,012 to $58,279
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,168
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salaries

A Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,110
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,343
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,670
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,230
  • Expert (over 8 years): $56,168
Levels Salary
Entry Level Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health$54,110
Intermediate Level Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health$54,343
Senior Level Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health$54,670
Specialist Level Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health$55,230
Expert Level Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health$56,168
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How Do Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Healths Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Healths. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $61,047.
  • California: $60,815.
  • Massachusetts: $60,005.

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $69,543
  • San Francisco: $68,782
  • Oakland: $67,332

What Skills Can Increase a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.3% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 6.22% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • Medication Administration (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Medication administration is the direct application of a prescribed medication whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means to the body of the individual by an individual legally authorized to do so.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.3%
Patient Care 6.22%
Medication Administration 2.22%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's salary.

  • Self-Directed: Can increase your salary by up to 42%.
  • Home Care: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Self-Directed $78,293
42%
Home Care $62,855
14%
Communication Skills $62,304
13%
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Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $58,484. While startup companies pay approximate $49,837.

Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $49,837
Growth Stage 51~500 $52,609
Established 501~5000 $56,572
Enterprise 5000+ $58,484

Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$60,650$29.010%

Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$52,012
Average $55,136/year
$58,279
$4,334
Average $4,595/month
$4,857
$1,000
Average $1,060/week
$1,121
$25
Average $27/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,279 $4,857 $1,121 $28
Average $55,136 $4,595 $1,060 $27
25th Percentile $52,012 $4,334 $1,000 $25

Most common benefits for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

Here are companies hiring for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

1. Where can a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health earn the most?

A Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health is $69,543.

2. What is the highest pay for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health?

The highest pay for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health is $61,141.

3. What is the lowest pay for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health?

The lowest pay for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health is $49,168.

4. What are the responsibilities of Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health?

Administers nursing care to patients with varying levels of mental health disorders and developmental disabilities under the supervision of a registered nurse or other medical supervisor. Monitors treatment and administers medication to patients as needed. Reports changes in patient's condition to supervisor. Requires graduation from approved LPN educational program. Typically requires a high school diploma. Requires a state license to practice. Typically reports to a registered nurse or supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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