Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $29.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Knoxville, TN runs $29.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,751 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $29.45. When compared to the national median of $32.73 for this profession, it illustrates a notable difference that may influence decisions for both full-time and part-time LPNs. This hourly wage allows LPNs working part-time, such as those on a 3-day workweek, to have a steady income while balancing other commitments. With a range spanning from $19.51 at the entry level to approximately $32.78 for top earners, opportunities for licensed practical nurses abound in various healthcare settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices. These figures come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, presenting an official snapshot of what LPNs can expect in terms of hourly pay in Knoxville.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.51 | $156.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.99 | $199.90 |
| Median (P50) | $29.45 | $235.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.23 | $249.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.78 | $262.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $29.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.45/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $61,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,338. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.92 | $5,104 | $61,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.75 | $3,063 | $36,751 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.17 | $2,042 | $24,501 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Knoxville) | $29.45 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $61,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.50% above the Tennessee state average of $59,769.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.45/hr = $36,751/year (purchasing power: $39,701).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,252/year (purchasing power: $66,169).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Knoxville grew 46.2% from $19.05/hr (2019) to $27.86/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.13/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Considering part-time work, an LPN who works three days a week could expect to earn around $45,696 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. This amount contrasts with full-time earnings, emphasizing how part-time positions can provide flexibility. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Knoxville generally ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, depending on the facility's staffing needs. For those willing to take on agency work or fill shifts in understaffed settings, earnings can even reach $45 to $60 per hour. The hourly rate varies significantly across employer types; hospitals may pivot to all-RN staffing models, while skilled nursing and assisted living facilities often employ a larger proportion of LPNs. Many LPNs face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly wages for consistent health insurance or opting for higher rates without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate in Knoxville, emphasizing specialized skills, flexibility in schedule, and local market conditions can significantly bolster their bargaining power.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Knoxville in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Knoxville?
Are licensed practical nurses in Knoxville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Knoxville?
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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 Knoxville. 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