LPN Salary

Knoxville vs Tullahoma: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Knoxville, TN and Tullahoma, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$61,264
$29.45/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$55,227
$26.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$61,264$55,227
Hourly Rate$29.45$26.55
Entry Level (P10)$40,589$46,337
25th Percentile$51,962$51,210
75th Percentile$64,963$63,212
Top Earner (P90)$68,177$66,875
Total Employed2,6504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($61,264) and Tullahoma ($55,227) licensed practical nurse salaries.KnoxvilleTullahomaMedian Salary$61,264$55,227Entry Level (P10)$40,589$46,337Top Earner (P90)$68,177$66,875US Median $68,071

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tullahoma.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Tullahoma is $6,037 (10.93%). Knoxville's median is -10.00% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $27,588,Tullahoma spans $20,538. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$40,589
P25$51,962
Median$61,264
P75$64,963
P90 (Top)$68,177
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$46,337
P25$51,210
Median$55,227
P75$63,212
P90 (Top)$66,875

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($66,182 effective) pays 10.01% more than Tullahoma ($60,160 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $61,264
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $66,182
Tullahoma
Nominal: $55,227
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $60,160

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,264/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,177)
  • Larger job market (2,650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,182)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Tullahoma if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Knoxville grew 46.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in Tullahoma over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+46.3%

$39,620 (2019) → $57,960 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+25.7%

$41,561 (2024) → $52,249 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Knoxville or Tullahoma?

Knoxville has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $61,264/year, compared to Tullahoma at $55,227/year — a difference of $6,037 (10.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Tullahoma?

Knoxville licensed practical nurses earn $29.45/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $26.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Tullahoma as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $66,182, Tullahoma = $60,160), job availability (2,650 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Knoxville vs Tullahoma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $40,589 in Knoxville and $46,337 in Tullahoma. The Tullahoma area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov