Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Tennessee: $61,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $61,917/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,448 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($61,940), Franklin ($61,194), Murfreesboro ($60,842).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is projected to be $61,917, which is 9.0% lower than the national median of $68,071. Nashville ranks as the highest-paying city for LPNs at $65,471, while Jackson offers the lowest salary at $53,558. This $11,913 salary gap reflects variations in cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local healthcare facility funding. Tennessee requires LPNs to hold a valid state license, which involves completing an accredited LPN program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The state's scope of practice allows LPNs to perform a variety of nursing tasks under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, enhancing their value in healthcare settings. Demand for LPNs is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. With a total of 16,632 licensed practical nurses employed across the state, the job market outlook remains steady, particularly in metropolitan areas like Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Memphis, and Chattanooga, all showing promising salary projections. This growth suggests a favorable environment for those entering the nursing field in Tennessee.
Tennessee Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $40,589 (lowest entry-level) to $84,418 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee licensed practical nurses earn 9.04% less than the national median ($-6,154/year difference).
Tennessee Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Tennessee range from $45,493 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $72,099 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,917. The Tennessee median is $6,154 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $29.77/hr. Approximately 16,632 licensed practical nurses are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,249
2025 BLS Actual
$58,578
2026 Current Est.
$61,917
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,229 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,446 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.6% from $42,249 (2019) to $58,578 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,446 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,197 (54.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $53,558 |
| Johnson City | $54,414 |
| Tullahoma | $55,227 |
| Cleveland | $55,334 |
| Sevierville | $56,432 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $64,682 | 91.8 | $70,460 |
| Murfreesboro | $64,310 | 91.8 | $70,054 |
| Nashville | $65,471 | 96.338 | $67,960 |
| Memphis | $62,511 | 92.179 | $67,815 |
| Clarksville | $61,581 | 90.947 | $67,711 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,493 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,917 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $72,099 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $65,471 |
| 2 | Franklin | $64,682 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $64,310 |
| 4 | Memphis | $62,511 |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $61,919 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $61,581 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $61,264 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $60,418 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $60,116 |
| 10 | Collierville | $59,907 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $59,448 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $58,651 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $58,646 |
| 14 | Morristown | $58,283 |
| 15 | Columbia | $58,251 |
| 16 | Germantown | $58,177 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $58,061 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $57,960 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $57,658 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $57,209 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $57,208 |
| 22 | Kingsport | $57,131 |
| 23 | La Vergne | $57,088 |
| 24 | Cookeville | $56,795 |
| 25 | Maryville | $56,758 |
| 26 | Sevierville | $56,432 |
| 27 | Cleveland | $55,334 |
| 28 | Tullahoma | $55,227 |
| 29 | Johnson City | $54,414 |
| 30 | Jackson | $53,558 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Tennessee?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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