Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $58,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $58,516/year (≈ $28.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $66,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the compensation for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) reflects the city's unique healthcare landscape, with a median annual salary projected to be $58,516 in 2026. The salary range for LPNs varies significantly, spanning from $42,153 at the 10th percentile to $68,747 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse earning potential based on the specific employment setting and experience of the nurse. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, projected into 2026, indicating a strong demand for LPNs in skilled nursing facilities as opposed to home health or outpatient settings, which typically offer lower wages. As the need for quality care continues to rise, Tuscaloosa's job market for LPNs offers opportunities for growth alongside competitive compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,153 | $20.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,231 | $23.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,516 | $28.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,847 | $31.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,747 | $33.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,594 (2026 est.). At $58,516, the local median is 14.04% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be above the median
How Tuscaloosa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $58,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,771 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.04% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $58,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.04% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.10% below the Alabama state average of $59,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $58,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,440
2025 BLS Actual
$55,360
2026 Current Est.
$58,516
2019–2027 Growth
+60.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,851 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.0% from $38,440 (2019) to $55,360 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,851 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,411 (60.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $42,153 – $48,231 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,231 – $58,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,516 – $64,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,847 – $68,747 |
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 Tuscaloosa
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Tuscaloosa employs about 680 professionals, providing a stable environment for those entering the field. The cost of living index is relatively low at 87.722, which enhances the purchasing power of the median salary when compared to more expensive regions. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer salaries that surpass those provided by home health agencies or physician offices, mainly due to the higher demands placed on LPNs in these settings. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional incentives for weekend or holiday work. To maximize their earning potential in this market, LPNs should consider pursuing specific certifications, such as IV therapy, and seek positions in skilled nursing or long-term care where compensation is more favorable.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Tuscaloosa, AL in 2026?
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Tuscaloosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Tuscaloosa?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Tuscaloosa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $55,360 for licensed practical nursesin the Tuscaloosa 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