SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Retail Salespersons

$34,580

Median annual salary

3,800,250 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $27,760 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 80.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$80,510

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesRetail SalespersonsDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$25,600+$22,360
25th Percentile$55,220$29,140+$26,080
Median (50th)$62,340$34,580+$27,760
75th Percentile$73,160$37,850+$35,310
90th Percentile$80,510$47,930+$32,580
Mean (Average)$64,150$37,150+$27,000

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Retail Salespersons

3,800,250

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Best Cities for Retail Salespersons

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$43,040
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$42,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$39,180
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$37,500
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$37,350

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Retail Salespersons?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,760 (80.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS