Licensed Practical Nurse in Alabama: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Alabama employs 11,580 LVNs, with a statewide median of $57,030 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alabama licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Alabama (May 2025)
- Alabama median pay
- $57,030 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $39,880
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $61,800
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $69,120
- Employed in Alabama
- 11,580
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Alabama markets:
- Birmingham
- $61,040 (3,300 employed)
- Huntsville
- $59,860 (990 employed)
- Columbus
- $59,330 (690 employed)
- Mobile
- $57,030 (800 employed)
- Montgomery
- $55,410 (780 employed)
- Tuscaloosa
- $55,360 (680 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Alabama
Prices in Alabama run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,030 median stretches to roughly $64,223 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Alabama (2024–2034)
Alabama is projected to shrink LVNs employment -1.1%, slower than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 890 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Alabama License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
- Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at an Alabama community college).
- Apply to the Board and clear a background check.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Alabama is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so the license can work across compact states.
Official requirements: Alabama Board of Nursing →
Training in Alabama
Affordable, fast paid-healthcare entry via Alabama community colleges. Check NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alabama include:
- Bevill State Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Bishop State Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Central Alabama Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in Alabama
Real Alabama nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- Capitol Hill Healthcare Center — Montgomery
- Fair Haven — Birmingham
- Enterprise Health & Rehabilitation Center — Enterprise
- Talladega Healthcare Center, Inc — Talladega
- Arbor Springs Health and Rehab Center, Ltd — Opelika
- Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing & Rehabilitation — Florence
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.
Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
First Steps
Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do LVNs make in Alabama?
The median wage for LVNs in Alabama is $57,030 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,880, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $69,120. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alabama?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), overseen by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at an Alabama community college).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Alabama?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Alabama metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Alabama metro areas, Birmingham leads at $61,040, followed by Huntsville ($59,860), Columbus ($59,330). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alabama?
Real Alabama options include Bevill State Community College, Bishop State Community College, Central Alabama Community College. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in Alabama?
Alabama projects LVNs employment to change -1.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 890 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alabama statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Alabama Board of Nursing (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alabama wages · Alabama licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.