Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Nashville-Davidson, TN

The Salary Picture: Where Nashville-Davidson Stands

If you're an LPN looking at Nashville, the numbers are solid. The median salary for an LPN in the Nashville-Davidson metro area is $55,472/year. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.67/hour. For context, the national average for LPNs sits at $54,620/year, so Nashville pays slightly better than the country as a whole. That's a good starting point, but let's dig into what that means at different career stages.

The job market here is active. There are approximately 1,375 LPN jobs in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 5%. This isn't a boomtown explosion, but it's steady, stable demand driven by an aging population and the city's expanding suburban and rural healthcare networks.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Level	Years of Experience	Typical Salary Range	Key Employers at This Level
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$48,000 - $52,000	Long-term care facilities, home health agencies, smaller clinics.
Mid-Career	2-8 years	$54,000 - $60,000	Hospitals (HCA, Ascension), larger specialty clinics, dialysis centers.
Senior	8-15 years	$59,000 - $65,000+	Charge nurse roles, case management, clinical educator positions.
Expert	15+ years	$62,000+	Specialized roles (e.g., wound care, IV certification), management.

Note: These ranges are estimates based on local job postings and industry data, centered on the $55,472 median.

How Nashville Stacks Up in Tennessee

Nashville is the state's economic engine, and healthcare jobs reflect that. Here’s a quick comparison to other major Tennessee cities for LPNs.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Notes
Nashville-Davidson	$55,472	105.2	Highest salaries, highest cost of living.
Memphis	~$51,000	95.8	Lower pay, but significantly cheaper to live.
Knoxville	~$50,500	93.5	Strong hospital system, lower cost of living.
Chattanooga	~$50,000	92.0	Growing healthcare sector, most affordable major city.

Insider Tip: While Nashville's salary is $1,852 above the national average, its Cost of Living Index is 105.2% of the US average. This means your dollar doesn't stretch as far as it would in Memphis or Knoxville. However, the sheer volume of healthcare employers in Nashville—from mega-hospitals to niche specialty clinics—offers more job mobility and advancement opportunities than in smaller markets.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about the budget. An LPN earning the median salary of $55,472/year has to navigate Tennessee's tax structure and the city's housing costs.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Gross: $4,623/month)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$4,623	Before any deductions.
Taxes & Deductions	~$1,100	Includes federal tax, Social Security, Medicare. TN has no state income tax.
Net Take-Home Pay	~$3,523	This is your working budget.
Average 1BR Rent	$1,442	This is the city-wide average.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	$150 - $200	Varies by season; summers are hot and AC is essential.
Car Payment/Insurance	$400 - $600	Nashville is a driving city; public transit is limited.
Groceries	$350 - $450
Health Insurance (if employer doesn't cover)	$200 - $400
Miscellaneous (Phone, etc.)	$200
Total Core Expenses	~$2,742 - $3,092
Remaining	~$431 - $781	For savings, student loans, entertainment, or emergencies.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

This is the big question. The median home price in Nashville-Davidson is hovering around $450,000 - $500,000. With a $55,472 salary, qualifying for a mortgage on a median-priced home is extremely challenging without a significant down payment or dual income. You'd likely need to look to the suburbs (like Hermitage, Madison, or Antioch) where prices can dip into the $300,000 - $375,000 range, but you're trading a longer, more congested commute. As a single-income earner at this salary, renting is the more realistic and immediate option for most.

Where the Jobs Are: Nashville-Davidson's Major Employers

Nashville's healthcare scene is dominated by a handful of major players and a thriving network of specialty clinics and long-term care facilities. Here’s where to focus your job search:

1. HCA Healthcare (TriStar Health): This is the largest employer in the region. They run facilities like TriStar Centennial Medical Center (in the heart of Nashville), TriStar Skyline Medical Center (North Nashville), and TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center (Antioch). HCA is always hiring LPNs for med-surg, telemetry, and rehab units. Hiring Trend: Consistent openings, especially for night and weekend shifts.

2. Ascension Saint Thomas: Another major hospital system with Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown and Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. Saint Thomas has a strong focus on cardiac and neuro services. Hiring Trend: They are expanding their outpatient and home-based care services, creating more LPN roles in community health.

3. Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC): The academic medical giant. Vanderbilt is more selective but offers exposure to cutting-edge treatments and higher education opportunities. LPN roles are often found in their outpatient clinics (e.g., Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center) and affiliated community health centers. Hiring Trend: Roles here are competitive; they value nursing assistants and LPNs with strong patient care experience.

4. The Tennessee Department of Health: Don't overlook state and local government. The Metro Public Health Department and state-run clinics offer stable LPN positions in public health, immunization clinics, and school health programs. Hiring Trend: Very stable, with excellent benefits, but hiring cycles can be slower.

5. Kindred Healthcare / Long-Term Care Facilities: Nashville has a dense network of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, like Kindred Hospital Nashville (a long-term acute care facility) and The Health Center at Richland Place. These are primary employers for LPNs. Hiring Trend: High turnover means constant openings, but pay can be at the lower end of the scale.

6. SunCrest Home Health & Hospice: A major local home health agency. Home health LPNs perform skilled visits and care coordination. This role offers more autonomy and a different pace than hospital work. Hiring Trend: Growing demand due to the aging population and patient preference for in-home care.

Insider Tip: Many clinics and specialty practices (like dialysis centers DaVita or Fresenius, or urgent care chains like CareHere) hire LPNs directly. These are often less stressful than hospitals and may offer regular business hours.

Getting Licensed in TN

To work as an LPN in Tennessee, you must be licensed by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Graduate from an Approved Program: Complete a state-approved practical nursing program. In the Nashville area, schools like Nashville State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) have reputable LPN programs.
2. Pass the NCLEX-PN: After graduation, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
3. Apply for Licensure by Examination: Submit your application, transcripts, and fees to the TN Board of Nursing. The application fee is $150 (check the board's website for the most current fee).
4. Background Check: You must undergo a criminal background check, which incurs an additional cost (around $40 - $60).
5. Timeline: From program completion to holding your license in hand, plan for 2-3 months. The NCLEX results are typically available within 48 hours, but processing the full application can take a few weeks.

Key Resource: The Tennessee Board of Nursing website (tn.gov/health/health-professions-boards/nursing-board) is your official source for all requirements, forms, and current fees.

Best Neighborhoods for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPNs)

Choosing where to live impacts your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Here are 4-5 neighborhoods to consider, with rent estimates for a 1BR apartment.

Neighborhood	Vibe	Avg. 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Hospitals
Donelson / Hermitage	Suburban, family-friendly, quieter. Close to the airport.	$1,300 - $1,500	15-25 mins to TriStar Centennial; 20-30 mins to Vanderbilt.
Madison	More affordable, working-class, great access to I-65.	$1,100 - $1,300	20-30 mins to most hospitals; easy highway access.
Antioch	Diverse, rapidly growing, with new shopping centers.	$1,200 - $1,400	15-25 mins to TriStar Southern Hills; 25-35 mins to downtown hospitals.
Germantown / Sylvan Park	Trendy, walkable, near Vanderbilt & West End.	$1,600 - $2,000+	10-15 mins to Vanderbilt; 15-20 mins to Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown.
Inglewood / East Nashville	Up-and-coming, artistic, great food scene.	$1,500 - $1,800	15-25 mins to Vanderbilt and Ascension Saint Thomas.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-40, I-65, and I-24 can be brutal during rush hour. A 15-mile commute can take 45 minutes. When looking for a place, drive the route to your potential job during commute hours before signing a lease.

The Long Game: Career Growth

While your base salary is solid, the path to earning more involves specialization and advancement.

• Specialty Premiums: LPNs with additional certifications can command higher pay. The most valuable in the Nashville market are:
  • IV Therapy Certification: Allows you to start and maintain IV lines. Can add $1 - $2/hour.
  • Wound Care Certification: High demand in long-term care and home health.
  • Gerontology: Specializing in elderly care is a direct fit for the region's demographics.
• Advancement Paths: The most common route is to become an LPN with advanced duties (e.g., charge nurse in a nursing home). The ultimate advancement is to bridge to an RN. Many Nashville employers, especially HCA and Ascension, offer tuition reimbursement for LPNs to get their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is the single biggest career mover.
• 10-Year Outlook (5% Growth): The 5% job growth is steady. You won't see explosive demand, but you will see consistent openings. The growth will be in long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings rather than inpatient hospital beds. Specializing in geriatrics or community health will position you best for the next decade.

The Verdict: Is Nashville-Davidson Right for You?

Here’s a direct comparison of the pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Slightly above-average pay ($55,472 vs. national $54,620).	High cost of living, especially housing ($1,442 avg. rent).
No state income tax – a significant boost to your take-home pay.	Traffic congestion is a daily reality and can drastically increase commute times.
Diverse job market across hospitals, clinics, and home health.	The job market is competitive; you'll need a solid resume and possibly some experience.
Vibrant city culture, music, food, and events.	The social scene can be expensive; "Nashville prices" are real.
Steady 5% job growth and 1,375 jobs in the metro.	As a single-income earner, homeownership is a long-term goal, not an immediate reality.

Final Recommendation:

Nashville-Davidson is an excellent choice for an LPN who values career mobility and urban amenities. The salary provides a comfortable living if you are disciplined with your budget and prioritize renting over buying in the short term. It's ideal for LPNs with 2-8 years of experience looking to specialize or transition to an RN program with employer support. However, if your primary goal is to purchase a home quickly or you prefer a lower-cost, slower-paced environment, cities like Knoxville or Chattanooga might offer a better financial fit. For the LPN who wants a dynamic city with a strong healthcare foundation, Nashville is a compelling destination.