Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $33.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Atlanta, GA runs $33.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,768 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,263 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, a licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Atlanta, GA stands at $33.06, slightly above the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate provides solid earning potential for both part-time nurses working three days a week and those pursuing per-diem opportunities in diverse settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospice care. With a range spanning from $24.46 at the entry level to $40.53 for top earners, the hourly wages reflect the demand for LPNs in various healthcare environments. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests that those entering the field or transitioning into LPN roles can expect competitive compensation relative to national averages.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.46 | $195.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.98 | $239.81 |
| Median (P50) | $33.06 | $264.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.42 | $299.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.53 | $324.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $33.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.06/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $68,771 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,676. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,322.52 | $5,731 | $68,771 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $793.51 | $3,439 | $41,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.01 | $2,292 | $27,508 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Atlanta) | $33.06 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $68,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 8.10% above the Georgia state average of $63,616.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.06/hr = $41,263/year (purchasing power: $41,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,771/year (purchasing power: $68,731).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Atlanta grew 44.1% from $21.71/hr (2019) to $31.28/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.95/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Atlanta
Part-time work as a licensed practical nurse offers unique income dynamics compared to full-time positions. For example, a 3-day work week yields around $1,900 monthly, translating to nearly $22,800 annually—a figure that informs LPNs considering lifestyle balances while pursuing a degree or career advancement. In contrast, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Atlanta can vary considerably; some may earn as little as $28 per hour, while those filling gaps at facilities might receive rates between $45 and $60 hourly, especially in high-demand scenarios. In varying employer settings—such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies—hourly rates can differ significantly. LPNs often face trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits or lower pay coupled with valuable health insurance. Those aiming to negotiate hourly rates should approach with clarity regarding their value and the competitive market, emphasizing their unique skills and adaptability in Atlanta’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Atlanta in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Atlanta?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Atlanta. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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