Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Smyrna, TN: $29.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Smyrna, TN runs $29.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,418 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,250 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Smyrna, Tennessee, the licensed practical nurse hourly rate is projected to be $29.05 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $32.73, indicating a potential disparity in earnings for LPNs in the region. For those considering part-time or per-diem positions—common in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices—this rate could translate to a significant weekly income based on hours worked. LPNs in Smyrna can expect an hourly range from $22.36 at entry-level positions to $36.66 for more experienced professionals, allowing for various levels of income depending on experience and the specific healthcare environment.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($49,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.36 | $178.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.33 | $210.64 |
| Median (P50) | $29.05 | $232.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.55 | $276.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.66 | $293.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $29.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.05/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, TN can expect to earn approximately $60,416 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,856. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.85 | $5,035 | $60,416 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.11 | $3,021 | $36,250 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.74 | $2,014 | $24,167 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Smyrna) | $29.05 |
| 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 Smyrna, TN earn a median of $60,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.24% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $59,761.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.05/hr = $36,250/year (purchasing power: $39,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,416/year (purchasing power: $65,813).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Smyrna grew 35.6% from $20.26/hr (2019) to $27.48/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.70/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Part-time licensed practical nurses working 24 hours a week would see a different earning potential compared to their full-time counterparts. Depending on the amount billed per hour, per-diem licensed practical nurse pay in Smyrna can vary, with rates typically ranging from $28 to $42, and agency LPNs in understaffed facilities reaching as high as $45 to $60 per hour. Hourly rates fluctuate by employer type, with differences commonly observed across skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals. While some LPNs choose positions with lower hourly rates that include benefits like health insurance, others opt for higher pay without these perks. For those in Smyrna, practical negotiation tactics can emphasize local demand for nurses, as well as the specific skills from LPN-to-RN bridge programs that align with market needs.
More salary data for Smyrna, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Smyrna in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Smyrna?
Are licensed practical nurses in Smyrna paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Smyrna?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Smyrna?
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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 Smyrna. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Smyrna is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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