Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Columbia, TN: $58,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Columbia, TN earns a median $58,251/year (≈ $28.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $63,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Columbia, TN, can expect to see a median annual salary of $58,251, which reflects a significant local variation in pay compared to the national median of $68,071. The projected salary range runs from $44,649 at the 10th percentile to $75,103 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are substantial pay differences influenced by setting type, experience, and additional specializations. Estimates regarding these figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living considerations. Actual pay may vary depending on whether LPNs work in skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, or physician offices, as these settings typically offer different compensation structures and responsibilities.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($49,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,649 | $21.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,462 | $25.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,251 | $28.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,315 | $33.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,103 | $36.11 |
Median Salary Position
14.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,454 (2026 est.). At $58,251, the local median is 14.43% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Columbia median: $58,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,745 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.43% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbia, TN earn a median of $58,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.43% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $59,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $58,251 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,631
2025 BLS Actual
$55,110
2026 Current Est.
$58,251
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,777 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,114 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $40,631 (2019) to $55,110 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,941 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $44,649 – $52,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,462 – $58,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,251 – $69,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,315 – $75,103 |
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 Columbia
The local job market in Columbia, with approximately 10 licensed practical nurses currently employed, shows a steady demand for skilled professionals, particularly in areas such as long-term care where wages tend to be higher. The cost-of-living index here is relatively low at 91.8, enhancing the overall purchasing power of LPNs even as salaries remain competitive. Skilled nursing facilities generally offer the most attractive pay packages, sometimes boosted by shift differentials and weekend/holiday premiums. Salary variations stem from factors such as certification stipends for IV therapy and the typical earnings structure across different healthcare settings. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications or seeking positions in long-term care can be advantageous in the Columbia job market.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Columbia, TN in 2026?
Is Columbia, TN a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Columbia?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Columbia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $55,110 for licensed practical nursesin the Columbia 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
Salary data for Columbia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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