Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Gadsden, AL: $59,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Gadsden, AL earns a median $59,234/year (≈ $28.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $69,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the 2026 median annual licensed practical nurse salary is projected to be $59,234, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market despite falling below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $44,500 at the lower end (P10) to $64,255 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the essential role of licensed practical nurses, particularly with Alabama's scope of practice allowing for IV therapy and patient assessments. This specialization can enhance potential earnings, especially in certain healthcare settings where demand is higher.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,234 | $28.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,494 | $30.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,255 | $30.89 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,755 (2026 est.). At $59,234, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Gadsden Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $59,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,772 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -12.98% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $59,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% below the Alabama state average of $59,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $59,234 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,156 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,370
2025 BLS Actual
$56,040
2026 Current Est.
$59,234
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,611 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.3% from $39,370 (2019) to $56,040 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,241 (59.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $44,500 – $50,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,250 – $59,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,234 – $63,494 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,494 – $64,255 |
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 Gadsden
With 210 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Gadsden, it’s clear that the local job market provides various opportunities, albeit within a cost-of-living index that sits at 85.653, indicating a lower-than-average living expense. This situation can enhance the purchasing power of LPNs earning competitive wages. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally lead in compensation, followed by home health agencies and some hospitals. Factors such as shift differentials, certifications for IV therapy, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts can influence pay scales significantly. To maximize earnings in this market, LPNs should consider seeking roles in long-term care settings and gaining additional certifications that can command higher pay, enhancing their employment prospects and overall earning potential in Gadsden, AL.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $56,040 for licensed practical nursesin the Gadsden 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