Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Opelika, AL: $53,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Opelika, AL earns a median $53,287/year (≈ $25.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $60,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Opelika, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $53,287, which highlights how the local pay compares unfavorably to the national median of $68,071. This salary range spans from $44,395 at the 10th percentile to $67,776 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of compensation based on experience and workplace setting. Factors such as whether LPNs work in skilled nursing facilities, home health, or clinics significantly influence these pay scales. Local estimates from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments offer insights into how much do licensed practical nurses make in Opelika, revealing that varying workplace demands can lead to substantial differences in compensation across the board.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,395 | $21.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,656 | $24.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,287 | $25.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,803 | $30.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,776 | $32.59 |
Median Salary Position
21.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,381 (2026 est.). At $53,287, the local median is 21.72% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Opelika median: $53,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,738 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -21.72% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Opelika, AL earn a median of $53,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.72% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 10.80% below the Alabama state average of $59,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $53,287 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,168
2025 BLS Actual
$50,413
2026 Current Est.
$53,287
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,751 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $37,168 (2019) to $50,413 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,156 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $44,395 – $50,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,656 – $53,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,287 – $62,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,803 – $67,776 |
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 Opelika
While the local job market for licensed practical nurses shows limited staffing—only seven LPNs employed in Opelika—the cost of living index at 87.9 reflects a potential increase in the take-home purchasing power for healthcare workers in this area. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation among employers in the region, followed by home health and physician offices. Factors that drive the salary spread include the varying responsibilities between settings: nurses in long-term care environments may earn more due to shift differentials and additional certifications like IV therapy. To maximize pay in Opelika, LPNs may consider opportunities in long-term care, pursue weekend and holiday shifts for premium pay, and keep an eye out for roles that offer charge nurse responsibilities or specific partnerships with medical institutions that value dual credentials.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Opelika, AL in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Opelika?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Opelika?
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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 $50,413 for licensed practical nursesin the Opelika 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
Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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