Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Gainesville, GA: $67,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Gainesville, GA earns a median $67,733/year (≈ $32.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $69,997 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Gainesville, GA can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,733 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $68,071. The local salary range spans from $52,924 at the 10th percentile to $82,192 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and settings in which LPNs work. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight not only the competitive pay for skilled professionals but also the wider context of Georgia's LPN scope of practice. In this state, licensed practical nurses have authority over services such as IV therapy and patient assessment, influencing compensation dynamics and job demand within Gainesville's healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,924 | $25.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,613 | $29.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,733 | $32.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,751 | $35.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,192 | $39.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,268 (2026 est.). At $67,733, the local median is 0.5% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be above the median
How Gainesville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $67,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $63,599 | +6.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.50% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $67,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.50% above the Georgia state average of $63,599.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,997 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,950
2025 BLS Actual
$64,080
2026 Current Est.
$67,733
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.5% from $45,950 (2019) to $64,080 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,643 (55.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $52,924 – $61,613 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,613 – $67,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,733 – $74,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,751 – $82,192 |
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 Gainesville
The local job market supports approximately 390 licensed practical nurses, who benefit from a cost-of-living index of 96.766, indicating that take-home pay retains more purchasing power than in many other regions. Employment opportunities at skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive salaries, while home health agencies and physician offices follow closely behind. The variation between low and high salaries in Gainesville correlates with specific factors, such as work setting, shift differentials, and additional stipends for IV therapy certification. For those looking to maximize their earnings, seeking positions within long-term care and exploring weekend or holiday shifts can be strategic choices. Understanding these market nuances can greatly enhance the licensed practical nurse pay in Gainesville, GA.
More salary data for Gainesville, 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 $64,080 for licensed practical nursesin the Gainesville 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