Licensed Practical Nurse in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Tennessee employs 20,830 LVNs, with a statewide median of $58,870 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $58,870 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $41,110
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $62,650
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $67,540
- Employed in Tennessee
- 20,830
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Tennessee markets:
- Nashville
- $61,940 (5,650 employed)
- Memphis
- $59,140 (2,980 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $58,580 (1,560 employed)
- Clarksville
- $58,260 (630 employed)
- Knoxville
- $57,960 (2,650 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,870 median stretches to roughly $64,059 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow LVNs employment +9.4%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,840 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate license via NLC — regulated by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- Complete a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12–18 months) covering fundamentals, med-surg, maternal-child, and clinical rotations.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to the Tennessee Board of Nursing for your LPN license.
- Tennessee is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member — Tennessee nurses receive a multistate license allowing practice in all 41 NLC states without additional individual licenses. Tennessee's multi-state license is especially valuable given its borders with 8 states.
Official requirements: Tennessee Board of Nursing →
Training in Tennessee
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses across the state offer PN programs, as do Nashville State and Volunteer State. HCA Healthcare (the nation's largest for-profit hospital system, headquartered in Nashville), Vanderbilt, and Ascension are major LPN employers. Tennessee borders 8 states, making the NLC compact license highly practical.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Academy of Allied Health Careers — Certificate
- Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — Certificate / Associate
- Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate
- Health-Tech Institute of Memphis — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- The Health Center at Standifer Place — Chattanooga
- Quality Center for Rehabilitation and Healing LLC — Lebanon
- Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab — Knoxville
- Cordova Wellness and Rehabilitation Center — Cordova
- Graceland Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center — Memphis
- Trevecca Center for Rehabilitation and Healing LLC — Nashville
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 Tennessee?
The median wage for LVNs in Tennessee is $58,870 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,110, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $67,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Tennessee?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — multistate license via NLC, overseen by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Complete a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12–18 months) covering fundamentals, med-surg, maternal-child, and clinical rotations.
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Tennessee?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Tennessee metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $61,940, followed by Memphis ($59,140), Chattanooga ($58,580). 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 Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Academy of Allied Health Careers, Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers, Chattanooga State 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee projects LVNs employment to change +9.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,840 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee 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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.