Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $61,919 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $61,919/year (≈ $29.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $67,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the projected median salary for licensed practical nurses in 2026 is $61,919, a figure that falls approximately 9.04% below the national median of $68,071. The local salary range for LPNs spans from $45,250 at the lower decile to $69,255 at the upper decile. These insights are based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data and indicate a solid opportunity for LPNs in a state where the scope of practice includes tasks such as IV therapy and comprehensive patient assessments. As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, especially in long-term care settings, Chattanooga's job market remains robust, reflecting an increasing need for licensed practical nurses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,865 | $25.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,919 | $29.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,834 | $32.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,255 | $33.30 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,005 (2026 est.). At $61,919, the local median is 9.04% below the national median of $68,071.
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How Chattanooga Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $61,919/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,767 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -9.04% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $61,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $59,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $61,919 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,740
2025 BLS Actual
$58,580
2026 Current Est.
$61,919
2019–2027 Growth
+56.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,919 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.3% from $41,740 (2019) to $58,580 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,708 (56.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $45,250 – $53,865 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,865 – $61,919 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,919 – $66,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,834 – $69,255 |
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 Chattanooga
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Chattanooga is characterized by a workforce of approximately 1,560 professionals, which supports a competitive environment for job seekers. With a cost of living index of 91.464, LPNs in this city enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to national averages, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle despite salaries that lag slightly behind nationwide figures. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, capitalizing on the demand for experienced LPNs. Additionally, factors such as shifts, IV therapy certification stipends, and holiday premiums contribute to pay variations. To maximize earning potential, LPNs in Chattanooga can focus on acquiring specialized certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying environments like long-term care, and being open to flexible shifts that offer additional pay incentives.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
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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 $58,580 for licensed practical nursesin the Chattanooga 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