Licensed Practical Nurse.
Birmingham.
$43,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$36,000 to $53,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Birmingham is 16% cheaper than the national average. For Licensed Practical Nurses, that shakes out to a median of $43,000, with the full range spanning $36,000 to $53,000. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $39,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$28,000
to $34,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$37,000
to $45,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$47,000
to $56,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$54,000
to $67,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $11,000 to the total package.
Base
$43,000
Equity
$6,000
Bonus
$4,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $54,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$43,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$51,000
Birmingham is $8,000 below
Licensed Practical Nurse salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
Here is what the Licensed Practical Nurse market actually looks like in Birmingham. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. States with nurse licensure compacts offer more flexibility and often higher pay for travel assignments. Shift differentials for evenings and weekends and IV therapy certification also contribute to higher earnings.
New LPNs start at $40,000 to $45,000 in most settings. With five years of experience and specialty skills, pay reaches $52,000 to $60,000. Charge LPNs or unit supervisors can earn $62,000 to $72,000, and many LPNs use the role as a bridge to RN licensure. In Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. LPNs receive standard healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and retirement contributions. Overtime is common and can add $5,000 to $10,000 annually. Some employers offer sign-on bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 in high-demand areas. And on the tax side: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $43,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for Licensed Practical Nurses in Birmingham runs from $36,000 to $53,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
Licensed Practical Nurse salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
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