Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Birmingham, AL: $64,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Birmingham, AL earns a median $64,519/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $70,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the licensed practical nurse salary in Birmingham is projected to reach a median of $64,519 in 2026, reflecting a landscape where skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher compensation compared to home health and clinical settings. Salaries in this field will range from $48,284 at the tenth percentile to $73,060 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underscore the nuanced pay variations tied to the type of healthcare institution. As the demand for LPNs continues to rise in Birmingham, professionals can anticipate evolving opportunities across various healthcare domains, each affecting earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,284 | $23.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,061 | $25.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,519 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,352 | $34.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,060 | $35.12 |
Median Salary Position
5.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,776 (2026 est.). At $64,519, the local median is 5.22% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be above the median
How Birmingham Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $64,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,740 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.22% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $64,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.22% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 8.00% above the Alabama state average of $59,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,519 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,402 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,500
2025 BLS Actual
$61,040
2026 Current Est.
$64,519
2019–2027 Growth
+60.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.6% from $42,500 (2019) to $61,040 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,697 (60.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,284 – $53,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,061 – $64,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,519 – $72,352 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,352 – $73,060 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Birmingham
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Birmingham is robust, with approximately 3,300 individuals currently employed in this role. This workforce resides in a region with a cost-of-living index of 91.644, indicating that take-home pay can stretch further compared to national averages. Nursing facilities tend to offer higher wages, particularly for roles in skilled nursing and long-term care, while home health agencies, physician offices, and assistive environments typically present lower salaries. Several factors contribute to the pay disparity, including shift differentials, specialty certifications like IV therapy, and extra pay for holidays and weekends. For LPNs seeking to enhance their earnings, pursuing roles in higher-paying facilities and obtaining specialized certifications can be key strategies. The potential growth rate of 5.70% in the next five years further suggests a positive outlook for those in the field, making this an opportune time to advance one's career in nursing within Birmingham, AL.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,040 for licensed practical nursesin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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