Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Johnson City, TN: $54,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Johnson City, TN earns a median $54,414/year (≈ $26.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $61,885 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Johnson City, Tennessee can expect a median annual salary of $54,414, significantly lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area varies considerably, from $43,908 at the 10th percentile to $64,995 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the broader context of the local healthcare job market. In Johnson City, the types of healthcare facilities largely dictate pay rates, with those working in skilled nursing facilities generally receiving higher compensation compared to their counterparts in home health settings or physician offices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,908 | $21.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,884 | $24.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,414 | $26.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,399 | $30.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,995 | $31.24 |
Median Salary Position
20.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,087 (2026 est.). At $54,414, the local median is 20.06% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be above the median
How Johnson City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $54,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,796 | -9.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -20.06% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $54,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.06% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.00% below the Tennessee state average of $59,796.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $54,414 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,885 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,400
2025 BLS Actual
$51,480
2026 Current Est.
$54,414
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.6% from $37,400 (2019) to $51,480 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,116 (53.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,908 – $50,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,884 – $54,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,414 – $63,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,399 – $64,995 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Johnson City
The local job market is robust, with 820 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Johnson City, TN. However, the cost-of-living index stands at 87.928, indicating that although salaries may seem lower than the national median, they can still afford a reasonable standard of living in this area. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive wages among employers, followed closely by hospitals. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors such as setting, shift differentials, and special certifications like IV therapy. To maximize potential earnings in Johnson City, LPNs should consider applying for positions in long-term care, pursuing additional certifications, or taking on roles with weekend and holiday premiums. Understanding the dynamics of local healthcare compensation will aid in making strategic career decisions.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,480 for licensed practical nursesin the Johnson City metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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