Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Nashville, TN: $77,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Nashville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $77,372/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Nashville's price premium (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $80,313 in average-cost America. The 18% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $65,471 in 2026, experienced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) working in Nashville, TN, have significant earning potential. The top-tier salaries for seasoned professionals can reach up to $77,372, reflecting a noticeable gap between average and high-end earnings. This experience premium illustrates the value placed on the skills and expertise gained over years in the field. To position themselves for achieving top licensed practical nurse salaries in Nashville, practitioners should focus on gaining specialized certifications and pursuing roles that enhance their leadership capabilities, ensuring they stand out in a competitive market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Nashville earn between $71,295 and $77,372 per year (2026 est.). This $27,978 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Nashville median of $65,471 sits 3.82% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Nashville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,471 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,295 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $77,372 | $88,196 |
In Nashville, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 18.18% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Nashville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $65,471 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Nashville employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Nashville command premium compensation, often reaching the $71,295–$77,372 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Nashville metro area, which is a large LPN employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Nashville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Nashville
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedNashville ranks #4 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $77,372).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Nashville ($77,372) is 7.31% above the Tennessee average P90 ($72,099).
2019 BLS Actual
$55,470
2025 BLS Actual
$73,200
2026 Current Est.
$77,372
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,783 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Nashville saw their compensation grow 32.0% from $55,470 in 2019 to $73,200 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $81,783 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Nashville
Several specializations can command higher pay in Nashville, with LPNs in long-term care, IV therapy, and hospice settings often earning more than their peers. Compensation structures vary significantly depending on the employer, where skilled nursing facilities may offer higher wages compared to home health agencies or physician offices. For senior licensed practical nurses, roles like charge LPN, nursing supervisor, or MDS coordinator provide opportunities not only for better pay but also for career advancement. Furthermore, obtaining additional credentials such as IV therapy or wound care certification can substantially enhance earning potential in TN. Non-salary benefits, including shift differentials and premium pay for weekends or holidays in long-term care settings, also play a pivotal role in attracting seasoned professionals to these critical roles across Nashville’s diverse healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Nashville in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Nashville?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Nashville?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Nashville?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Nashville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $73,200 for licensed practical nurses in the Nashville metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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