Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Savannah, GA: $53,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Savannah, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,717 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Savannah's local price level (BEA RPP 95.2 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,422 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,390) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the nursing field, the starting licensed practical nurse salary in Savannah, GA, presents a promising outlook. In 2026, the entry-level pay is expected to start at around $53,717, providing an accessible entry point compared to the city median of $66,390. While the gap between starting salaries and the city median may seem significant, ambitious new LPNs can expect salary growth over their first few years, moving toward the 25th percentile at $58,019 and eventually approaching the median as they gain experience. Overall, Savannah currently offers a favorable environment for new nursing graduates, making it a viable market to launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Savannah
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Savannah
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Savannah, GA typically start between $53,717 and $58,019 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,484 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,390 — 2.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Georgia of $10,000 represents just 18.62% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($53,717/year) in Savannah. 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 Savannah
- 1Research the Savannah market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $53,717 to $58,019, 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 Savannah, 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 Savannah for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Savannah's moderate 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 Savannah is $25,484 ( 47.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,717, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,201.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,420
2025 BLS Actual
$50,820
2026 Current Est.
$53,717
2019–2027 Growth
+69.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Savannah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,779 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Savannah, GA grew 52.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,420 in 2019 to $50,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,779. New graduates entering the Savannah job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Savannah metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Savannah
Savannah's healthcare landscape offers a variety of employment opportunities for entry-level licensed practical nurses. Skilled nursing facilities are among the primary employers, often providing comprehensive on-the-job training for new graduates. Home health agencies also hire LPNs, promoting flexible scheduling which can appeal to newly licensed nurses seeking work-life balance. To enhance earning potential, aspiring LPNs should maintain an active LPN/LVN license in Georgia and consider further education, such as obtaining a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program and passing the NCLEX-PN. Specializing in areas like IV therapy or wound care can also boost starting pay. As LPNs advance in their careers in Savannah, many consider LPN-to-RN bridge programs as a strategic next step, especially given the national trend where long-term care employs about 35% of LPNs and hospitals increasingly require RNs for nursing roles. Expect a realistic salary increase in the first few years; LPNs can see their compensation align more closely with the local median as they gain experience and potentially expand their responsibilities.
More salary data for Savannah, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
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 Savannah. 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