LPN Salary

Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Augusta, GA: $54,901 (2026)

Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Augusta, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,901 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Augusta's local price level (BEA RPP 91.98% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,738 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,394) within a few years of clinical practice.

$54,901
Starting Salary
$26.39/hr
Starting Hourly
$54,901
Entry Level
$67,394
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Licensed Practical Nurse Entry Level Salary in Augusta, GA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Augusta, GA licensed practical nurse entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates entering the nursing field, the starting licensed practical nurse salary in Augusta, GA, is set to begin at approximately $54,901 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city median salary of $67,394, it does present a solid platform for early-career nurses. Over the initial years, LPNs can expect to progress in their salaries, with projections suggesting an increase to around $61,560 at the 25th percentile as they gain experience and take on more responsibilities. Given the 5.70% annual growth rate expected in this sector, Augusta appears to offer a favorable market for new graduates seeking LPN positions, making it an encouraging starting point in their nursing careers.

Career Earnings Timeline in Augusta

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$54,901/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$61,560/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$67,394/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$77,351/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for licensed practical nurses in Augusta. The median salary is $67,394, compared to the national median of $68,071.$49.4K$58.0K$66.6K$75.2K$83.8K$54.9K10th Pctl$61.6K25th Pctl$67.4KMedian$77.4K75th Pctl$79.8K90th PctlUS Median$68.1K

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Augusta, GA typically start between $54,901 and $61,560 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,924 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,3940.99% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of licensed practical nurse pay in the Augusta metro area.

Return on Investment

$10,000
Avg GA Program Cost
$54,901
Starting Salary
18.21%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Georgia of $10,000 represents just 18.21% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($54,901/year) in Augusta. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.

LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Augusta

  • 1Research the Augusta market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $54,901 to $61,560, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Augusta, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Augusta for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Augusta's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range

The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Augusta is $24,924 ( 45.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,901, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,825.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$33,020

2025 BLS Actual

$51,940

2026 Current Est.

$54,901

2019–2027 Growth

+75.7%

Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Augusta (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for licensed practical nurses in Augusta. Baseline $33,020 in 2025, projected to $58,030 by 2027.$28.0K$36.8K$45.5K$54.3K$63.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$33.0K$34.0K$37.0K$39.7K$45.1K$48.7K$51.9K$54.9K$58.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$33,020Actual
2020$34,010Actual
2021$37,020Actual
2022$39,660Actual
2023$45,130Actual
2024$48,690Actual
2025$51,940Actual
2026(current)$54,901Estimated
2027$58,030Projected

Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Augusta, GA grew 57.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,020 in 2019 to $51,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,030. New graduates entering the Augusta job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your nursing Career in Augusta

In the Augusta job market, various employers actively seek new grad licensed practical nurses. Skilled nursing facilities are particularly noteworthy, as they typically provide on-the-job training and support for recent graduates, smoothing the transition into the workforce. Additionally, flexible opportunities in home health agencies are appealing for those seeking better work-life balance, while physician offices often prefer candidates who possess specific clinic experience. Aspiring LPNs should ensure they meet necessary credentials, including holding an active LPN license in Georgia and passing the NCLEX-PN. To enhance starting pay, obtaining certifications in IV therapy or wound care can also provide an advantage. In navigating the first few years of their career, many will consider LPN-to-RN bridge programs due to the evolving healthcare environment that increasingly favors RN staffing, allowing for a clear pathway toward salary advancement beyond initial expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Augusta in 2026?

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Augusta start at approximately $54,901/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.70% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $26.39/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Augusta?

Most licensed practical nurses in Augusta progress from the entry-level salary of $54,901 to the area median of $67,394 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $79,825 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Augusta?

With a starting salary of $54,901/year in Augusta and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new licensed practical nurses recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Augusta?

New nursing graduates in Augusta typically start near the 10th percentile at $54,901/year, or approximately $26.39/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia?

To become a licensed licensed practical nurse in Georgia, you typically need practical nursing diploma or certificate and passing the nclex-pn exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Georgia, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some licensed practical nurses pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

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AM

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Augusta. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).

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

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