Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $45,250 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Chattanooga, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,250 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chattanooga's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,473 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,919) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the licensed practical nurse (LPN) profession in Chattanooga, Tennessee, can anticipate starting salaries around $45,250 per year. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $61,919, highlighting a considerable gap that new LPNs must navigate as they begin their careers. Over the initial 3 to 5 years, there is potential for salary growth, transitioning from the starting pay at the 10th percentile to approximately $53,865 at the 25th percentile, ultimately reaching the median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in the healthcare sector, Chattanooga presents a viable market for nursing graduates, making it an optimistic time for those entering this vital profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chattanooga
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 Chattanooga
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Chattanooga, TN typically start between $45,250 and $53,865 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,005 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,919 — 9.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Tennessee of $10,000 represents just 22.10% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($45,250/year) in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga
- 1Research the Chattanooga market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $45,250 to $53,865, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chattanooga'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 Chattanooga is $24,005 ( 53.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,250, experienced hygienists can earn up to $69,255.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,530
2025 BLS Actual
$42,810
2026 Current Est.
$45,250
2019–2027 Growth
+47.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,250 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,829 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Chattanooga, TN grew 31.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,530 in 2019 to $42,810 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,829. New graduates entering the Chattanooga job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Employers in Chattanooga hiring new LPN graduates primarily include skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, both offering invaluable on-the-job orientation and flexible work schedules essential for new grads. While physician offices often seek candidates with particular clinic experience, they too can provide promising opportunities. To enhance starting licensed practical nurse pay in TN, graduates benefit from earning their active LPN/LVN license, completing a 12-18 month practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Additionally, pursuing optional certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further improve employment prospects and salary potential. In the first three years of employment, LPNs can realistically expect incremental salary growth, particularly if they consider opportunities in long-term care—a sector that employs a significant portion of LPNs nationally—thus positioning themselves for future advancements or bridging programs to become registered nurses.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is nursing school worth it in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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