Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cleveland, TN: $55,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cleveland, TN earns a median $55,334/year (≈ $26.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $62,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Cleveland, TN can expect a median annual salary of $55,334, showcasing a salary range that spans from $46,656 at the tenth percentile to $64,910 at the ninetieth percentile. These projections reflect data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and underscore how Tennessee's scope-of-practice rules, which allow for procedures like IV therapy and assessment, influence compensation levels directly. Although these figures may appear lower than national averages, they reflect the current job dynamics within the local market. As healthcare facilities continue to evolve, the demand for LPNs in Cleveland offers opportunities to shape their earnings through qualifications and workplace settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,656 | $22.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,793 | $24.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,334 | $26.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,864 | $30.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,910 | $31.21 |
Median Salary Position
18.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,254 (2026 est.). At $55,334, the local median is 18.71% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $55,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,756 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -18.71% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $55,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.71% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.40% below the Tennessee state average of $59,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $55,334 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,822 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,770
2025 BLS Actual
$52,350
2026 Current Est.
$55,334
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.6% from $37,770 (2019) to $52,350 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,718 (54.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $46,656 – $51,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,793 – $55,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,334 – $63,864 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,864 – $64,910 |
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 Cleveland
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Cleveland is fairly robust, with around 270 individuals currently employed in this field. The cost of living in the area, represented by a Cost of Living index of 88.08, suggests that wages may go further for nursing professionals than in other regions with higher living costs. Top-paying employers typically include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care establishments, which tend to offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies or physician offices. Variability in pay can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials, supplemental pay for IV therapy certifications, and compensation for weekend or holiday shifts in long-term care settings. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Cleveland, pursuing additional certifications and aiming for roles in high-demand sectors can significantly impact earnings over time.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
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 $52,350 for licensed practical nursesin the Cleveland 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