Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Athens, GA: $65,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Athens, GA earns a median $65,111/year (≈ $31.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $69,755 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the skilled nursing sector offers a 2026 median annual salary of $65,111 for licensed practical nurses, reflecting a competitive pay structure against the prospective national median of $68,071. The salary distribution ranges from $49,964 at the lower end (P10) to $76,854 at the higher end (P90), illustrating a robust market for LPNs across various healthcare settings. Derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, this information highlights a growing demand for practical nursing professionals as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,964 | $24.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,960 | $25.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,111 | $31.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,086 | $33.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,854 | $36.95 |
Median Salary Position
4.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,890 (2026 est.). At $65,111, the local median is 4.35% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be above the median
How Athens Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Athens median: $65,111/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $63,585 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.35% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Athens, GA earn a median of $65,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.40% above the Georgia state average of $63,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,111 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,755 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% 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
$45,220
2025 BLS Actual
$61,600
2026 Current Est.
$65,111
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.2% from $45,220 (2019) to $61,600 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,603 (52.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $49,964 – $53,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,960 – $65,111 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,111 – $69,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,086 – $76,854 |
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 Athens
As of now, Athens employs approximately 420 licensed practical nurses, contributing to a job market experiencing a 5.70% growth rate annually. The cost of living index in Athens is notably below the national average, sitting at 93.343, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by long-term care setups and home health agencies. The variation in licensed practical nurse pay in Athens, GA, can be attributed to factors such as shifts, certifications like IV therapy, and additional premiums for weekend or holiday work, primarily in long-term care environments. To maximize earnings, LPNs should consider seeking roles within skilled nursing facilities or pursuing certifications to enhance their qualifications, thereby expanding their opportunities for advancement and higher pay.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Athens, GA in 2026?
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Athens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Athens?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Athens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $61,600 for licensed practical nursesin the Athens 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