Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cookeville, TN: $56,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cookeville, TN earns a median $56,795/year (≈ $27.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $61,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, TN, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are projected to earn a median annual salary of $56,795 in 2026, reflecting the local demand and scope of practice regulations that allow for IV therapy and patient assessments. The salary range for LPNs is estimated between $45,863 at the 10th percentile and $70,458 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market for practitioners in the area. This data, derived from 2025 BLS projections adjusted for regional cost variations, highlights Cookeville's relatively competitive compensation for LPN roles compared to the national median of $68,071, positioning local salaries approximately 16.57% lower than the national average. The workforce dynamics here suggest a steady employment environment as the region supports the critical healthcare infrastructure through various facilities and services.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($49,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,863 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,872 | $25.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,795 | $27.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,895 | $31.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,458 | $33.88 |
Median Salary Position
16.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,595 (2026 est.). At $56,795, the local median is 16.57% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $56,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,784 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -16.57% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $56,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.57% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $59,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville 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.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $56,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,615
2025 BLS Actual
$53,732
2026 Current Est.
$56,795
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,107 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $39,615 (2019) to $53,732 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,417 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $45,863 – $52,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,872 – $56,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,795 – $65,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,895 – $70,458 |
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 Cookeville
Currently, Cookeville employs seven licensed practical nurses, reflecting a specialized yet limited local job market. The cost of living index stands at 91.8, which is below the national average, enhancing the relative purchasing power of salaries in the area. Higher wages are typically found in skilled nursing facilities, which prioritize LPN roles more than other settings like home health agencies and physician offices. Factors contributing to the noticeable salary range include settings that often offer higher pay due to the complexity of care—such as long-term care facilities. Strategies for maximizing earnings in this market could include pursuing IV therapy certification, seeking opportunities in environments that offer shift differentials, and promoting oneself for weekend and holiday shifts, which often come with financial incentives. Understanding these nuances is crucial for LPNs considering employment within Cookeville, TN.
More salary data for Cookeville, 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 $53,732 for licensed practical nursesin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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