Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Georgia: $66,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,665/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,606 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($66,333), Atlanta ($65,060), Gainesville ($64,080).
The salary landscape for licensed practical nurses in Georgia reveals some interesting trends. The average median salary for this role in the state is projected to be $66,665 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $68,071, which places Georgia at a 2.1% disadvantage compared to the national averages. Variability between cities is significant, with Sandy Springs leading at $70,114, while Valdosta offers the lowest salary at $52,702, showcasing a gap of $17,412 that may be driven by factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of positions in each locality. While entering the profession, prospective nurses should understand Georgia's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence both salary and job responsibilities. The demand for licensed practical nurses is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, reflecting the ongoing need for healthcare services across the state. Major urban areas like Atlanta ($68,768), Gainesville ($67,733), Augusta ($67,394), and Roswell ($67,208) also present promising opportunities. Overall, the job market for licensed practical nurses in Georgia is showing steady growth and stability, making this a viable career path for those seeking employment in the healthcare sector.
Georgia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $38,686 (lowest entry-level) to $90,034 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia licensed practical nurses earn 2.07% less than the national median ($-1,406/year difference).
Georgia Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Georgia range from $50,464 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,951 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,665. The Georgia median is $1,406 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.05/hr. Approximately 16,474 licensed practical nurses are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,973
2025 BLS Actual
$63,070
2026 Current Est.
$66,665
2019–2027 Growth
+60.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,973 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,806 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,465 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.4% from $43,973 (2019) to $63,070 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,465 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,492 (60.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Valdosta | $52,702 |
| Hinesville | $57,004 |
| Warner Robins | $57,374 |
| Dalton | $57,480 |
| Griffin | $59,150 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $70,114 | 93.1 | $75,310 |
| Augusta | $67,394 | 91.903 | $73,332 |
| Macon | $64,466 | 88.528 | $72,820 |
| Rome | $65,227 | 90.161 | $72,345 |
| Roswell | $67,208 | 93.1 | $72,189 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,464 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,665 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,951 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $70,114 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $68,768 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $67,733 |
| 4 | Augusta | $67,394 |
| 5 | Roswell | $67,208 |
| 6 | Savannah | $66,390 |
| 7 | Rome | $65,227 |
| 8 | Athens | $65,111 |
| 9 | Macon | $64,466 |
| 10 | Alpharetta | $64,235 |
| 11 | South Fulton | $64,161 |
| 12 | Brookhaven | $63,585 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $63,144 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $63,075 |
| 15 | Woodstock | $63,001 |
| 16 | Stockbridge | $62,907 |
| 17 | Pooler | $62,819 |
| 18 | Columbus | $62,712 |
| 19 | Brunswick | $62,574 |
| 20 | Marietta | $62,432 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $62,424 |
| 22 | Johns Creek | $62,155 |
| 23 | Evans | $61,679 |
| 24 | Albany | $61,634 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $61,620 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $61,616 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $61,550 |
| 28 | McDonough | $61,289 |
| 29 | Newnan | $61,191 |
| 30 | Milton | $61,165 |
| 31 | Kennesaw | $60,707 |
| 32 | Cartersville | $60,570 |
| 33 | Peachtree City | $60,568 |
| 34 | Tucker | $60,416 |
| 35 | Canton | $60,272 |
| 36 | Griffin | $59,150 |
| 37 | Dalton | $57,480 |
| 38 | Warner Robins | $57,374 |
| 39 | Hinesville | $57,004 |
| 40 | Valdosta | $52,702 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Georgia?
How does Georgia licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Georgia?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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