LPN Salary

Chapel Hill vs Greensboro: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Chapel Hill, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chapel Hill, NC
$71,358
$34.31/hr
Greensboro, NC
$67,236
$32.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChapel Hill, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$71,358$67,236
Hourly Rate$34.31$32.32
Entry Level (P10)$53,475$52,744
25th Percentile$63,610$63,367
75th Percentile$83,700$71,136
Top Earner (P90)$95,555$78,926
Total Employed91,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chapel Hill ($71,358) and Greensboro ($67,236) licensed practical nurse salaries.Chapel HillGreensboroMedian Salary$71,358$67,236Entry Level (P10)$53,475$52,744Top Earner (P90)$95,555$78,926US Median $68,071

Verdict

Chapel Hill, NC offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greensboro.

The salary gap between Chapel Hill and Greensboro is $4,122 (6.13%). Chapel Hill's median is +4.83% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chapel Hill spans $42,080,Greensboro spans $26,182. Chapel Hill has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chapel Hill
P10 (Entry)$53,475
P25$63,610
Median$71,358
P75$83,700
P90 (Top)$95,555
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$52,744
P25$63,367
Median$67,236
P75$71,136
P90 (Top)$78,926

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chapel Hill ($76,237 effective) pays 5.30% more than Greensboro ($72,402 effective).

Chapel Hill
Nominal: $71,358
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $76,237
Greensboro
Nominal: $67,236
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $72,402

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chapel Hill if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,358/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,555)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,237)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Larger job market (1,470 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Chapel Hill grew 31.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.3% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Chapel Hill, NC

+31.4%

$51,391 (2024) → $67,510 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+44.3%

$44,080 (2019) → $63,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Chapel Hill or Greensboro?

Chapel Hill has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $71,358/year, compared to Greensboro at $67,236/year — a difference of $4,122 (6.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chapel Hill and Greensboro?

Chapel Hill licensed practical nurses earn $34.31/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $32.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chapel Hill to Greensboro as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chapel Hill and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chapel Hill = $76,237, Greensboro = $72,402), job availability (9 vs 1,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Chapel Hill vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $53,475 in Chapel Hill and $52,744 in Greensboro. The Chapel Hill area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov