Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Johnson City, TN

The Salary Picture: Where Johnson City Stands

As a local who's seen the healthcare landscape evolve in the Appalachian Highlands, I can tell you straight up: Johnson City offers a solid, if not spectacular, salary for LPNs, especially when you factor in the cost of living. The median salary for an LPN here is $52,801 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.39. For context, that's slightly below the national average for LPNs, which sits at $54,620/year. However, with our cost of living index at 88.9 (significantly lower than the U.S. average of 100), that salary stretches much further here than it would in a bigger metro.

The job market is stable but not booming, with approximately 146 LPN jobs in the metro area and a projected 10-year job growth of 5%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's steady, and with several major employers, there's consistent turnover and opportunity. The key here is not just the base number, but how it aligns with the local economy. For a single person or a dual-income household, this salary provides a comfortable living in this region.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn based on experience within the Johnson City metro:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Factors in Johnson City
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$46,000 - $49,000	Starting pay at major hospitals like Johnson City Medical Center; often begin in long-term care or home health.
Mid-Career (3-7 yrs)	$52,801 - $57,000	This is the median range. Specialization (e.g., wound care, dialysis) or shift differentials (nights/weekends) can push you higher.
Senior/Expert (8+ yrs)	$58,000 - $65,000+	Top of the scale is typically found in case management, clinical supervisor roles, or specialized clinics (cardiology, oncology).

How does Johnson City stack up against other Tennessee cities?

• Knoxville: Salaries are similar ($53,000 median), but the cost of living is higher (92.5), and the market is more saturated.
• Nashville: Median salary is higher ($56,000), but the cost of living is drastically higher (106), and competition is fierce.
• Chattanooga: Very comparable to Johnson City in both salary ($52,500) and cost of living (89). It’s a similar mid-sized market.
• Memphis: Lower median salary ($48,000) and a slightly higher cost of living (92), making Johnson City a better financial bet for LPNs.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many local employers, especially the hospital systems, offer shift differentials of $2.00-$4.00 per hour for nights, weekends, and holidays. This can add $4,000-$8,000 annually to your take-home pay, making it crucial to ask about differentials during interviews.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get down to the nuts and bolts. With a median salary of $52,801, your monthly take-home pay (after federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare) will be approximately $3,200 - $3,400, depending on your withholding status and benefits. Let's use a conservative estimate of $3,300/month for our budget.

Johnson City's average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $870/month. That's one of the biggest draws—your housing costs are manageable.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a single LPN earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes & Local Insights
Take-Home Pay	$3,300	After taxes and standard deductions.
Rent (1BR)	$870	Average for a decent apartment. Newer complexes in North Johnson City can be $1,000+, while older buildings in more central areas can be under $800.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Gas)	$150	Varies by season. Summers can be humid and increase AC costs.
Groceries	$300	Several affordable options: Food City, Ingles, and Walmart. The Johnson City Farmers Market (open seasonally) is a great local resource for fresh produce.
Car Payment/Insurance	$400	Essential. Johnson City has limited public transit (Washington County Transit). Most residents drive.
Gas	$120	Commutes are generally short (15-20 mins), but gas prices in TN are around the national average.
Health Insurance	$200	If not fully covered by employer.
Student Loans	$150	Varies widely. This is a conservative estimate.
Miscellaneous/Entertainment	$300	Dining out, streaming services, hobbies, etc.
Savings/Debt Paydown	$810	This is the key. With a low cost of living, you can realistically save $800+ per month on a single LPN salary.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely, and this is where Johnson City shines. The median home price in the Johnson City metro is approximately $250,000. With $800/month in savings from the budget above, you could comfortably save for a down payment in 3-4 years. A standard FHA loan (3.5% down) would require about $8,750. With your savings rate, that's achievable. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $250,000 home would be around $1,400-$1,600, which is higher than rent but still manageable on a dual-income or single LPN salary with careful budgeting. Many LPNs here do own homes, often in the outlying neighborhoods like Gray or Jonesborough.

Where the Jobs Are: Johnson City's Major Employers

The healthcare scene is dominated by a few big players, but there are also important niche employers. Hiring is competitive but steady—turnover in long-term care is a constant source of openings.

1. Ballad Health (Johnson City Medical Center & Sycamore Shoals Hospital): The largest employer in the region. They own most of the major hospitals and clinics. JCMC is a Level I Trauma Center, so you'll see high-acuity cases. Hiring is frequent for Med-Surg, Telemetry, and Specialty floors.
2. Niswonger Children's Hospital: Part of Ballad Health, this is a major pediatric facility. LPN roles here are often in outpatient clinics or specific pediatric units. Very family-friendly environment.
3. Wellmont Health System (now part of Mountain States Health Alliance, but some facilities remain): While merging with Ballad, some facilities like Holston Valley Medical Center in nearby Kingsport (20-min drive) are still significant employers for Johnson City residents.
4. Mountain Home VA Medical Center: A massive federal facility located just outside town. It offers competitive federal benefits and pensions. Hiring can be slower due to the federal process, but it's a destination job for many. They have LPN roles in primary care, mental health, and long-term care.
5. Local Nursing Homes & Long-Term Care Facilities: Names like Heritage Center and NHC Healthcare Johnson City are always hiring. This is often where new LPNs cut their teeth. Expect a high volume of patients and a fast-paced environment.
6. Home Health Agencies: Companies like Amedisys and SunCrest Home Health serve the entire region. Great for autonomy and a varied caseload, but mileage reimbursement is a key question to ask.
7. Urology Associates of Johnson City & Appalachian Orthopedics: These large specialty clinics offer LPN roles that are more predictable (M-F, no weekends) and focused on outpatient care. A great option for a better work-life balance.

Hiring Trend Insight: Ballad Health is in a constant state of expansion and consolidation. They often host large job fairs. The key is to get your application in directly on their careers portal. For the VA, you must apply through USAJobs.gov. For nursing homes, a direct walk-in or call to the Director of Nursing can often bypass the online queue.

Getting Licensed in TN

If you're licensed in another state, the process is straightforward but requires advance planning. Tennessee is not a compact state for LPNs (it is for RNs), so you'll need to apply for licensure by endorsement.

Steps & Timeline:

1. Verify Eligibility: You must have an active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license from another state. Your education must be from a board-approved program.
2. Submit Application to Tennessee Board of Nursing: Complete the online application through the TN Department of Health's Office of Health Care Quality and Facilities Licensing. Pay the application fee ($150).
3. Request Verification: Have your original nursing school and original licensing state send official verification directly to the TN Board. This can take 2-4 weeks.
4. Background Check: Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). This costs approximately $35.
5. Take the NCLEX-PN: If you are a new graduate or your license is lapsed, you must take the NCLEX-PN exam. The fee is $200. Tennessee uses Pearson VUE for testing.
6. Timeline: The entire process can take 6-12 weeks from the time you submit all documents. Start the process at least 3 months before your planned move.

Insider Tip: The Tennessee Board of Nursing website is your best friend. It’s clear and has a checklist for licensure by endorsement. Also, connect with the Johnson City chapter of the Tennessee Nurses Association for local support and networking.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s

Johnson City is spread out. Choosing the right neighborhood depends on your lifestyle and commute to your job.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Lifestyle	Typical 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Hospitals
North Johnson City	Modern, commercial, and growing. Newer apartments, close to shopping (Mall), and I-26. Feels more suburban.	$950 - $1,200	10-15 mins to JCMC. Easy highway access.
Downtown/Tree Streets	Historic, walkable, and eclectic. Older homes converted to apartments, local cafes, and a younger vibe.	$750 - $1,100	5-10 mins to JCMC. Very central.
West Johnson City	Residential and affordable. Mix of older homes and apartments. Closer to the VA and quieter.	$700 - $900	15-20 mins to JCMC; 5 mins to VA.
Gray/North Gray Area	Suburban, family-oriented. Slightly outside the city limits, offering more space for less money.	$800 - $1,000	15-25 mins to JCMC via I-26.
Jonesborough (Historic Town)	Quaint, historic, and very charming. A 10-minute drive from Johnson City. Feels like a small town.	$750 - $950	15-20 mins to most Johnson City employers.

Insider Tip: If you work at the VA, living in West Johnson City or Gray minimizes your commute significantly. For a younger LPN wanting a social life, the Tree Streets offer walkability to bars and restaurants. For a family, Gray or Jonesborough provide more house for your money and excellent school systems.

The Long Game: Career Growth

An LPN license is a fantastic foundation, but your career trajectory in Johnson City is what you make of it.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Dialysis: Companies like DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care have clinics here. LPNs in dialysis often earn $2-$5 more per hour due to the specialized skill set.
• Wound Care Certification (CWCN): With Ballad Health's burn and wound center, a certified wound care LPN is highly valued and can command a higher salary.
• Clinical Supervisor/Charge Nurse: After 5+ years in a hospital setting, you can move into a charge nurse role, overseeing a unit. This comes with a pay bump and management experience.
• LPN to RN Bridge Programs: The most common path for advancement. East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Northeast State Community College (in nearby Blountville) offer accredited programs. ETSU's program is part of their College of Nursing, a respected institution. This is a 1.5-2 year commitment but can increase your salary potential to $65,000-$75,000+ as an RN locally.

10-Year Outlook: The 5% job growth is modest, but the demand is consistent due to our aging population and Ballad Health's regional dominance. The real growth will be for LPNs who upskill—moving into specialized clinics, telehealth support, or taking on leadership roles in long-term care. The value of local experience at a major facility like JCMC is high and transferable within the region.

The Verdict: Is Johnson City Right for You?

Here’s the honest breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Extremely Affordable Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further than in most other places.	Modest Salary Growth: The median salary is below the national average, and raises can be slow.
Stable Job Market: Dominated by a few major, reliable employers.	Limited Nightlife/Culture: It's a quiet city. You'll need to drive to Knoxville or Asheville for big concerts or events.
Outdoor Access: Unbeatable access to hiking, biking, and camping in the Appalachian Mountains (Buffalo Mountain, Watauga Lake).	Traffic & Parking: Congestion is growing, especially around the hospital and mall areas. Parking can be a challenge downtown.
Friendly, Community Feel: It's easy to meet people and integrate into the community.	Somewhat Isolated: 1.5 hours from Knoxville, 4 hours from Charlotte. Can feel remote if you're used to big cities.
Great for Home Ownership: A realistic goal for a single LPN.	Weather: Humid summers and occasional winter ice storms.

Final Recommendation: Johnson City is an excellent choice for an LPN who prioritizes quality of life, affordability, and a stable job over a high-octane career trajectory or big-city amenities. It's ideal for those who love the outdoors, want to buy a home, and value a supportive community. If you're seeking rapid salary growth, a bustling social scene, or specialized niche fields only found in major metros, you might feel constrained. But for a balanced, financially sustainable life as a nurse, Johnson City is a hidden gem.

FAQs

1. Is the cost of living really that low?
Yes. With a COL index of 88.9, everything from groceries to utilities is about 10-15% cheaper than the national average. The biggest savings is in housing. Your $52,801 salary here feels more like $60,000 in a national average city.

2. How competitive are the jobs at Ballad Health?
They are competitive for new graduates, but if you have any experience, especially in Med-Surg, your chances are very good. The key is tailoring your resume to the specific unit you're applying for and being flexible with shifts. Night shift positions are often easier to land.

3. Can I survive without a car?
It is extremely difficult. While there is a bus system (Washington County Transit), its routes and schedules are limited. Most healthcare facilities are in suburban areas not easily served by public transit. A reliable car is a necessity for commuting and daily life in Johnson City.

4. What’s the best way to find housing?
Start with online platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace. However, for the best deals, especially in the $700-$850 range, drive through neighborhoods like West Johnson City and Gray. Many landlords, especially of duplexes or small complexes, rely on "For Rent" signs and word-of-mouth rather than online listings.

5. Is Johnson City a good place for families?
Excellent. The public schools (Washington County) are well-regarded, the community is safe, and there are abundant parks and family-friendly activities (like the Hands On! Discovery Center). The affordable housing market makes it possible for a dual-income family, or even a single LPN with a side income, to buy a spacious home in a good school district.