Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Decatur, AL: $61,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Decatur, AL earns a median $61,317/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $70,308 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the compensation for licensed practical nurses is projected to reach a median annual salary of $61,317 by 2026. This figure falls below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a variance of nearly 10%. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $48,992 at the lower 10th percentile to $76,389 at the upper 90th percentile, demonstrating a considerable spread that underscores the varied opportunities available in local healthcare settings. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting how LPNs in Decatur can expect competitive, though not top-tier, salaries compared to their peers nationwide. With a focus on IV therapy and patient assessment — areas where Alabama's LPN scope of practice is more comprehensive — Decatur's healthcare sector is eager for skilled professionals in these fields.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,992 | $23.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,759 | $25.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,317 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,784 | $31.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,389 | $36.73 |
Median Salary Position
9.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,397 (2026 est.). At $61,317, the local median is 9.92% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Decatur median: $61,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,763 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -9.92% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Decatur, AL earn a median of $61,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.92% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.60% above the Alabama state average of $59,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $61,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,308 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,560
2025 BLS Actual
$58,010
2026 Current Est.
$61,317
2019–2027 Growth
+77.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 58.7% from $36,560 (2019) to $58,010 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,252 (77.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $48,992 – $53,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,759 – $61,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,317 – $64,784 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,784 – $76,389 |
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 Decatur
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Decatur comprises approximately 210 professionals, which provides a solid foundation for employment opportunities. The cost of living index in the area is 87.212, indicating that the overall expenses are lower than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local LPN wages. Employers that tend to offer the highest compensation include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers, where LPNs often earn more through shift differentials and special stipends for certifications such as IV therapy. The variation in pay across different settings can be significantly influenced by factors such as the type of healthcare facility, shift timing, and the presence of premium pay for weekends or holidays. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Decatur, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in higher-paying environments, and taking on extra shifts can be strategic moves within this local job market.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $58,010 for licensed practical nursesin the Decatur 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