Licensed Practical Nurse vs Medical Assistant
One pays more, the other gets you working sooner. Side-by-side data on Licensed Practical Nurse vs Medical Assistant salary, timeline, and ROI.
Salary
Salary Edge
Licensed Practical Nurses earn $18,140 more per year at the median. That's roughly $1,512/month before taxes — a gap that compounds over a career but needs to be weighed against any difference in training time or upfront costs.
Top-Paying States
| State | Licensed Practical Nurse | Medical Assistant | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $79,700 | $55,120 | +24,580 |
| Alaska | $77,670 | $51,860 | +25,810 |
| Oregon | $76,570 | $49,900 | +26,670 |
| California | $77,170 | $48,050 | +29,120 |
| Massachusetts | $76,560 | $48,540 | +28,020 |
| Rhode Island | $77,940 | $45,820 | +32,120 |
| New Hampshire | $74,660 | $48,040 | +26,620 |
| District of Columbia | $70,420 | $49,740 | +20,680 |
| Arizona | $74,020 | $45,440 | +28,580 |
| New Jersey | $71,180 | $46,280 | +24,900 |
Requirements at a Glance
| Factor | Licensed Practical Nurse | Medical Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Time | 1-2 years | 9-24 months |
| Est. Total Cost | — | — |
| Exam | NCLEX-PN | National certification (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) is not state-mandated but is the industry standard. |
| License Required | Most states | Some states |
| Education | Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program | High school diploma or equivalent; accredited MA program often required by employers. |
| CE Hours/Cycle | 22 hrs | 33 hrs |
Barrier to Entry
Timeline differs: Licensed Practical Nurse typically takes 1-2 years, while Medical Assistant takes 9-24 months. Licensed Practical Nurse licensing is more universal — required in 100% of states versus 6% for Medical Assistant.
Job Market
Market Outlook
Medical Assistant is projected to grow faster (+12.5% vs +2.6% over the next decade). Medical Assistant has significantly more annual openings (112.3 vs 54.4), which means more geographic flexibility when job hunting. Licensed Practical Nurse carries lower AI automation risk, which matters for long-term career stability.
Bottom Line
Licensed Practical Nurse pays $18,140/year more at the national median. Over a 10-year career, that gap adds up to roughly $181,400 in gross earnings — though Licensed Practical Nurse may require more training upfront.
Training timelines differ: Licensed Practical Nurse takes 1-2 years while Medical Assistant takes 9-24 months. If you need to start earning quickly, the shorter path has a real advantage regardless of the salary difference.
Long-term, Medical Assistant has a clear edge in job market growth. That doesn't mean the other career is dying — but more openings mean more bargaining power, more geographic options, and less competition for positions.