Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $26.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Johnson City, TN runs $26.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,414 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,649 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Johnson City, TN, earn a median hourly rate of $26.16, significantly lower than the national median of $32.73. This hourly pay presents a practical living wage, especially for LPNs seeking part-time opportunities in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, physician offices, and assisted living medication rooms. For those working a typical 24-hour week spread over three days, this rate allows flexibility while still providing essential patient care. The hourly range for LPNs in Johnson City varies from $21.11 for entry-level positions to $31.24 for top earners, reflecting the diverse skill levels and specific qualifications that influence their pay. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight both the opportunities within the local healthcare market and the competitive nature of the profession.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.11 | $168.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.46 | $195.67 |
| Median (P50) | $26.16 | $209.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.48 | $243.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.24 | $249.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $26.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.16/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $54,414 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,393. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,046.43 | $4,535 | $54,414 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $627.86 | $2,721 | $32,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $418.57 | $1,814 | $21,766 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Johnson City) | $26.16 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $54,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.06% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.00% below the Tennessee state average of $59,796.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.16/hr = $32,649/year (purchasing power: $37,131).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,414/year (purchasing power: $61,885).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Johnson City grew 37.7% from $17.98/hr (2019) to $24.75/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.65/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
When considering part-time work, an LPN in Johnson City shifting to a three-day workweek may take home about $40,000 annually, which is a significant sum but still less than what full-time LPNs can earn. Per diem licensed practical nurses, who typically command higher hourly rates ranging from $28 to $42, represent another path for those interested in flexible schedules. Additionally, agency LPNs can realize earnings as high as $60 per hour in understaffed facilities, given the ongoing demand in healthcare. Hourly rates also differ by employer; LPNs in long-term care environments earn competitive rates similar to those in home health care, though hospitals may offer lower hourly wages due to their exclusive reliance on registered nurses. While some may opt for positions with health benefits, accepting a lower rate, others prefer the potential for higher hourly earnings without benefits. Practical negotiation is crucial; LPNs should come prepared with knowledge of current market rates to secure the best possible pay while ensuring they align with their career goals in Johnson City.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Johnson City. 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