Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Dalton, GA: $57,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Dalton, GA earns a median $57,480/year (≈ $27.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $63,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Dalton, GA, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $57,480 in 2026, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $68,071 for the same year. The earnings range from $52,765 at the 10th percentile to $68,430 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the income disparity within this profession. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the local scope-of-practice rules that empower LPNs in Georgia to perform tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessments. Given these responsibilities, the salary potential in Dalton reflects both the level of expertise required and the demand for skilled nursing care in the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,765 | $25.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,861 | $25.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,480 | $27.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,521 | $32.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,430 | $32.89 |
Median Salary Position
15.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,665 (2026 est.). At $57,480, the local median is 15.56% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dalton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dalton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Dalton median: $57,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $63,584 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -15.56% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dalton, GA earn a median of $57,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.56% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.60% below the Georgia state average of $63,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $57,480 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,978 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,310
2025 BLS Actual
$54,380
2026 Current Est.
$57,480
2019–2027 Growth
+58.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.9% from $38,310 (2019) to $54,380 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,446 (58.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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) | $52,765 – $52,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,861 – $57,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,480 – $67,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,521 – $68,430 |
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 Dalton
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Dalton is solid, with approximately 230 professionals currently employed in various healthcare settings. The cost-of-living index stands at 89.844, suggesting that while the salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable for residents. Local employers such as skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies or physician offices, with certain facilities providing premiums for weekend or holiday shifts, particularly in long-term care scenarios. To maximize earnings, LPNs might consider acquiring additional certifications, like IV therapy, or seeking positions that offer higher pay scales for specialized skills. Additionally, exploring opportunities in skilled nursing settings may lead to more favorable compensation compared to less intensive healthcare environments.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
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 $54,380 for licensed practical nursesin the Dalton 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