Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Tennessee
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Tennessee earn a median of $58,870 a year ($28.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,540 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $64,400. Tennessee ranks 44th of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 6.4 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,470, close to the median.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,110 | $19.76 |
| 25th percentile | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Median | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| 75th percentile | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Average (mean) | $56,470 | $27.15 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,905.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,452.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,264.23 |
| Weekly | $1,132.12 |
| Hourly | $28.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,940 | 5,650 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,140 | 2,980 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $58,580 | 1,560 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $58,260 | 630 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,960 | 2,650 |
| Morristown, TN | $55,140 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $54,050 | 800 |
| Cleveland, TN | $52,350 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,480 | 820 |
| Jackson, TN | $50,670 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Tennessee?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee is $58,870 a year, or $28.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee earn at least $67,540 a year. The top 25% earn $62,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,110 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $49,170 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Tennessee?
About 20,830 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.