BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee

$56,470 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$27.15 per hour

▼ 15.8% below U.S. average46th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$56,470per year
Median$58,870per year
Hourly$27.15per hour
10th – 90th percentile$41,110 – $67,540per year

Licensed Practical Nurses Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,110
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$49,170
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,870
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$62,650
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$67,540

Half of Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee earn more than $58,870. The top 10% make $67,540 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,110.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 46th of 51 states for Licensed Practical Nurses pay, at $56,470 per year (15.8% below the U.S. average of $67,050).
  • 20,830 people work as Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee — 3.2% of all U.S. Licensed Practical Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.52: Licensed Practical Nurses jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,110; the top 10% earn over $67,540.
  • Hourly equivalent: $27.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $83,900.
  • Among healthcare jobs in Tennessee, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($408,230).

Licensed Practical Nurses Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Licensed Practical Nurses here earn $56,470 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $56,470 is roughly equivalent to $64,170 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kentucky ($60,460), New Mexico ($58,630), Oklahoma ($56,800) are the closest alternatives for Licensed Practical Nurses weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in Tennessee?

The average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in Tennessee is $56,470 per year (median $58,870), which is 15.8% below the national average of $67,050.

How does Tennessee rank for Licensed Practical Nurses pay?

Tennessee ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($83,900/yr).

How much do entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Licensed Practical Nurses in Tennessee earn about $41,110 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,170.

How much do Licensed Practical Nurses make per hour in Tennessee?

About $27.15 per hour, based on the $56,470 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Licensed Practical Nurses work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 20,830 Licensed Practical Nurses jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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