Licensed Practical Nurse.
Atlanta.
$52,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$43,000 to $63,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a Licensed Practical Nurse offer in Atlanta, GA, here is the reality: $43,000 to $63,000, with $52,000 as the midpoint. 2% above the national average. Work setting creates the widest pay gap, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies paying above physician offices. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
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How Atlanta compares
Atlanta, GA
$52,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$51,000
Atlanta is $1,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Licensed Practical Nurse market actually looks like in Atlanta. Atlanta is a logistics and corporate powerhouse, home to Coca Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS. The city's tech scene has expanded rapidly with major investments from Google, Microsoft, and a thriving fintech community. Atlanta offers strong salaries relative to its moderate cost of living, making it one of the best value metros for professionals. 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 Atlanta, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
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: georgia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. Atlanta does not impose a separate city income tax, keeping the combined burden below most northeastern cities. When someone quotes you $52,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions. The range for Licensed Practical Nurses in Atlanta runs from $43,000 to $63,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Atlanta
Negotiating in Atlanta
Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions.