Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Morristown, TN: $41,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Morristown, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,403 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Morristown's local price level (BEA RPP 86.4 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,940 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,283) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morristown, TN, new graduates looking to start their careers as licensed practical nurses can expect a starting salary around $41,403 in 2026. While this entry-level figure falls below the city’s median annual compensation of $58,283, it represents a reasonable starting point for new LPNs in the region. As professionals gain experience, they may see their pay rise significantly, moving from the first percentile to the 25th percentile at $49,457 and potentially approaching the median salary within the first three to five years. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, the Morristown job market for LPNs offers a promising outlook, making it a viable option for recent graduates seeking solid opportunities in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Morristown
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Morristown, TN typically start between $41,403 and $49,457 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,706 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,283 — 14.38% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Tennessee of $10,000 represents just 24.15% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($41,403/year) in Morristown. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Morristown
- 1Research the Morristown market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $41,403 to $49,457, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Morristown, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Morristown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Morristown's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Morristown is $25,706 ( 62.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,403, experienced hygienists can earn up to $67,109.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,820
2025 BLS Actual
$39,170
2026 Current Est.
$41,403
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Morristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,763 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Morristown, TN grew 23.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,820 in 2019 to $39,170 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,763. New graduates entering the Morristown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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.
Starting Your nursing Career in Morristown
For those entering the field, various healthcare settings in Morristown are keen to hire newly minted LPNs. Skilled nursing facilities are particularly adept at onboarding new graduates, often providing structured on-the-job training and orientation. Home health agencies tend to offer more flexible scheduling options, which can be appealing for young professionals balancing additional responsibilities. To enhance starting pay, new graduates should prioritize obtaining their active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing, completing a 12- to 18-month practical nursing diploma, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Gaining certifications in areas like IV therapy or wound care can also strengthen a candidate's resume. Considering the demand for LPNs in long-term care settings—where a significant portion of the workforce is employed—new practitioners can realistically expect gradual salary growth as they navigate their first few years, especially by leveraging ongoing education and possibly pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs for future career advancement.
More salary data for Morristown, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Morristown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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