Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Memphis, TN: $62,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Memphis, TN earns a median $62,511/year (≈ $30.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $67,815 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, TN, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median annual salary of $62,511, reflecting the state's specific scope-of-practice rules that include authority for IV therapy and patient assessment. This salary is accompanied by a notable range from $43,474 at the 10th percentile to $72,309 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by qualifications and experience. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, Memphis's salary figures are slightly below the national median of $68,071, highlighting both regional demand and local market conditions. The city's growing healthcare landscape presents opportunities that can affect compensation levels for LPNs as they engage with various healthcare settings in a dynamic job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,474 | $20.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,987 | $25.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,511 | $30.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,067 | $32.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,309 | $34.76 |
Median Salary Position
8.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,835 (2026 est.). At $62,511, the local median is 8.17% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be above the median
How Memphis Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Memphis median: $62,511/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,762 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -8.17% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Memphis, TN earn a median of $62,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.60% above the Tennessee state average of $59,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $62,511 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,815 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,880
2025 BLS Actual
$59,140
2026 Current Est.
$62,511
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 31.8% from $44,880 (2019) to $59,140 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,194 (47.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $43,474 – $52,987 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,987 – $62,511 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,511 – $67,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,067 – $72,309 |
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 Memphis
As of the latest figures, Memphis employs approximately 2,980 licensed practical nurses, which supports a relatively robust local job market. The cost-of-living index in the area is 92.179, suggesting that while salaries may trail national averages, the affordable living conditions can stretch take-home pay further. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and some hospitals typically offer the most competitive wages, while home health agencies and physician offices tend to pay on the lower end of the spectrum. Factors that drive the salary range include shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and specialized certifications, such as IV therapy. For LPNs in Memphis looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in high-demand settings, and considering part-time work in multiple environments can be effective strategies to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Memphis, TN.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 $59,140 for licensed practical nursesin the Memphis 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