Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Knoxville, TN: $61,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Knoxville, TN earns a median $61,264/year (≈ $29.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $66,182 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Skilled nursing facilities often offer higher compensation compared to home health agencies and clinic roles, which profoundly impacts the average licensed practical nurse salary in Knoxville, TN. The anticipated median annual salary for this profession is $61,264 in 2026, falling between a range of $40,589 at the lower end and $68,177 at the high end. These figures are drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. As Knoxville continues to grow, with a blend of healthcare settings, the earning potential for licensed practical nurses remains competitive, albeit lower than the national average, which is projected at $68,071 for the same year.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,589 | $19.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,962 | $24.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,264 | $29.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,963 | $31.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,177 | $32.78 |
Median Salary Position
10% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,588 (2026 est.). At $61,264, the local median is 10% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Knoxville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $61,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,769 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -10.00% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $61,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,182 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,620
2025 BLS Actual
$57,960
2026 Current Est.
$61,264
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 46.3% from $39,620 (2019) to $57,960 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,136 (63.44%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,589 – $51,962 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,962 – $61,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,264 – $64,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,963 – $68,177 |
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 Knoxville
In Knoxville, the local job market is robust, with approximately 2,650 licensed practical nurses currently employed, reflecting a 5.70% annual growth rate over the next five years. The cost-of-living index sits at 92.569, offering a more favorable environment for take-home pay compared to the national average. Local employers such as skilled nursing facilities generally offer the most attractive salaries, enhanced by various factors such as shift differentials and premiums for weekend or holiday work. To maximize licensed practical nurse pay in Knoxville TN, pursuing certifications in IV therapy or specialty areas can significantly increase earning potential. Understanding market demands and strategically seeking positions that offer charge nurse responsibilities may also provide valuable opportunities for career advancement and higher compensation.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 $57,960 for licensed practical nursesin the Knoxville 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