Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $31.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Athens, GA runs $31.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,111 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,060 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For licensed practical nurses in Athens, Georgia, the median hourly rate is projected to be $31.30 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $32.73. This hourly pay represents a substantial income for those working in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living environments. It provides flexible earning opportunities for part-time or per diem licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who typically work three days a week or on an as-needed basis. The hourly compensation for LPNs in Athens ranges from $24.03 at the entry level to as high as $36.95 for experienced professionals. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showcases how Athens aligns closely with regional employment needs while offering competitive wages in the healthcare sector.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.03 | $192.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.95 | $207.59 |
| Median (P50) | $31.30 | $250.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.21 | $265.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.95 | $295.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $31.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.30/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $65,099 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,557. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,251.91 | $5,425 | $65,099 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $751.15 | $3,255 | $39,060 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.76 | $2,170 | $26,040 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Athens) | $31.30 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Athens, GA earn a median of $65,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.40% above the Georgia state average of $63,585.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.30/hr = $39,060/year (purchasing power: $41,845).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,099/year (purchasing power: $69,742).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Athens grew 36.2% from $21.74/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Athens
Transitioning to an analysis of earning potential, a part-time licensed practical nurse in Athens, working 24 hours a week, would take home approximately $39,769 annually, which differs significantly from full-time earnings. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Athens typically falls between $28 and $42 per hour, with agency LPNs sometimes earning up to $60 per hour in understaffed nursing facilities. Hourly rates vary markedly based on the type of employer; LPNs in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals may see different compensation structures compared to those in home health agencies or physician offices. Nurses often find themselves weighing the value of higher hourly wages against overall benefits packages, as some may choose positions with lower pay in exchange for health insurance and other perks. For those seeking to negotiate better rates, understanding local market trends and pinpointing the specific demands of Athens’ healthcare facilities can provide a distinct advantage in discussions surrounding licensed practical nurse hourly pay in this region.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Athens in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Athens. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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