How Much Does an LPN Make in Alabama in 2026?

A typical LPN in Alabama earns about $27.42 per hour, or $57,030 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that works out to roughly $4,752 a month or $1,097 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by setting and city, but this is the typical starting point statewide.

Compared with the national figure of $64,400, Alabama pay runs 11% below the typical U.S. rate. That gap puts the state 47th out of 51 in nationwide rankings. Alabama employs about 11,580 LPNs, a workforce large enough to make this pay level typical rather than an outlier. Lower pay in Alabama tends to track its lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states.

Entry-level positions in Alabama typically offer around $19.17 an hour, or about $39,880 a year, for LPNs just starting out. Pay tends to rise steadily within the first few years on the job. By the time a nurse reaches typical experience levels, earnings climb toward the statewide typical rate of $57,030. Newer graduates should expect to start below that mark and build up from there.

Experienced LPNs often earn upwards of $61,800 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $69,120. That leaves a spread of $29,240 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years on the job, and city all play a part in where an individual nurse lands within that range.

Alabama LPN pay has risen steadily over the past decade. Typical annual pay grew from $36,010 in 2015 to $57,030 in 2025, a gain of $21,020, or 58%. Most of that increase came in the past few years, with pay jumping noticeably between 2021 and 2025. The overall trend has been upward each year since 2015.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade, close to Alabama's 58% climb. Alabama's pay has grown somewhat faster than the national pace, though it started from a lower base. For someone entering the field now, this decade of growth shows pay has moved up consistently, without any guarantee of future gains.

Pay runs highest in Birmingham, where LPNs typically earn $61,040 a year, about 7% above the statewide figure. Huntsville follows closely, with typical pay of $59,860 a year. Coastal cities like Fairhope, Foley, and Daphne post similar figures near $58,280. These figures reflect the full Birmingham, Huntsville, and Baldwin County metro areas, not just city limits.

Dothan pays the least among Alabama's metro areas, with typical LPN earnings of $47,820 a year, a spread of $13,220 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Birmingham also has the largest LPN workforce in the state, with about 3,300 workers earning the top local pay. Higher pay in cities like Birmingham often comes with a higher cost of living, which tends to offset some of the gain.

Alabama's LPN pay trails most of its neighbors. Georgia pays 9% more, at $62,030 a year, and Florida pays 8% more at $61,770. Tennessee runs closer, just 3% above Alabama at $58,870. Mississippi is the exception, paying 12% less than Alabama, at $50,220 a year. Nurses licensed in Alabama can often transfer or endorse that license into a neighboring state without starting over.

Alabama LPNs typically earn $57,030 a year, or $27.42 an hour, and that figure has grown 58% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience, with entry-level nurses starting lower and experienced nurses earning well above the typical rate. For specific licensing requirements, check Alabama's board of nursing registry; for local pay details, see the city-level breakdowns for Birmingham, Huntsville, and other Alabama metro areas.