Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Alabama: $61,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $61,153/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,571 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Birmingham ($61,040), Huntsville ($59,860), Daphne ($58,280).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses in Alabama is projected to be $61,153, which is 10.2% lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary varies significantly across the state, with Birmingham offering the highest average at $64,519 and Dothan at the lower end with $50,546. This $13,973 difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of job opportunities in urban versus rural areas. Alabama’s specific licensing requirements for LPNs include completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The scope of practice allows for various clinical tasks, reinforcing the critical role LPNs play in patient care. Currently, there are 8,688 licensed practical nurses employed in the state, reflecting a strong job market that is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70% through 2026. Key drivers for this demand include an aging population and increasing healthcare needs, making LPNs vital to the state's healthcare infrastructure. The cities of Huntsville ($63,272), Daphne ($61,602), Decatur ($61,317), and Anniston ($60,344) also provide competitive salaries, further illustrating the varied landscape for LPNs in Alabama.
Alabama Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $35,156 (lowest entry-level) to $78,352 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama licensed practical nurses earn 10.16% less than the national median ($-6,918/year difference).
Alabama Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Alabama range from $44,589 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $71,066 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,153. The Alabama median is $6,918 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $29.40/hr. Approximately 8,688 licensed practical nurses are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,793
2025 BLS Actual
$57,855
2026 Current Est.
$61,153
2019–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,793 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,484 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,639 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 45.4% from $39,793 (2019) to $57,855 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,639 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,846 (62.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Dothan | $50,546 |
| Opelika | $53,287 |
| Auburn | $53,516 |
| Pelham | $55,262 |
| Albertville | $57,240 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $64,519 | 91.644 | $70,402 |
| Decatur | $61,317 | 87.212 | $70,308 |
| Anniston | $60,344 | 85.949 | $70,209 |
| Gadsden | $59,234 | 85.653 | $69,156 |
| Florence | $58,516 | 84.817 | $68,991 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,589 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,153 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $71,066 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $64,519 |
| 2 | Huntsville | $63,272 |
| 3 | Daphne | $61,602 |
| 4 | Decatur | $61,317 |
| 5 | Anniston | $60,344 |
| 6 | Hoover | $60,336 |
| 7 | Mobile | $60,281 |
| 8 | Gadsden | $59,234 |
| 9 | Phenix City | $58,802 |
| 10 | Montgomery | $58,568 |
| 11 | Florence | $58,516 |
| 12 | Tuscaloosa | $58,516 |
| 13 | Prattville | $58,482 |
| 14 | Northport | $58,352 |
| 15 | Madison | $58,263 |
| 16 | Alabaster | $57,902 |
| 17 | Enterprise | $57,809 |
| 18 | Homewood | $57,735 |
| 19 | Vestavia Hills | $57,369 |
| 20 | Albertville | $57,240 |
| 21 | Pelham | $55,262 |
| 22 | Auburn | $53,516 |
| 23 | Opelika | $53,287 |
| 24 | Dothan | $50,546 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Alabama?
How does Alabama licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Alabama?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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