Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in New York
In New York, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $72,770 a year versus $47,750 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $25,020 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for New York.
Licensed Practical Nurse — New York
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$72,770
+13% vs nationalHourly
$34.99/hr
- Typical range
- $66,670–$85,910
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $94,290
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $56,210
- Newer nurses
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — New York
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$47,750
+13% vs nationalHourly
$22.96/hr
- Typical range
- $42,100–$53,360
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $58,740
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $38,350
- Newer nurses
Why the gap in New York
Licensed practical nurses earn more than certified nursing assistants because LPNs hold a state nursing license earned by passing the NCLEX-PN and practice with a broader clinical scope, including medication administration and treatments. The CNA is a shorter certificate credential limited to basic care tasks under supervision. The New York figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for New York's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) comparison or personalize the calculator.
Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) in New York — FAQ
- Do licensed practical nurses or nursing assistant (cna)s earn more in New York?
- In New York, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $72,770 a year versus $47,750 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $25,020 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for New York's local pay level.
- How much is the licensed practical nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in New York?
- The estimated gap in New York is about $25,020 a year, or roughly 52% more for licensed practical nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
- Are these New York figures exact?
- No — they're modeled estimates, not verified New York wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for New York's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
New York figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.13×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figures for New York. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.