LPN Salary

Leland vs Raleigh: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Leland, NC
$62,219
$29.91/hr
Raleigh, NC
$67,733
$32.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeland, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$62,219$67,733
Hourly Rate$29.91$32.57
Entry Level (P10)$52,728$54,731
25th Percentile$59,481$64,065
75th Percentile$72,894$76,897
Top Earner (P90)$75,922$80,089
Total Employed61,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leland ($62,219) and Raleigh ($67,733) licensed practical nurse salaries.LelandRaleighMedian Salary$62,219$67,733Entry Level (P10)$52,728$54,731Top Earner (P90)$75,922$80,089US Median $68,071

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Leland.

The salary gap between Leland and Raleigh is $5,514 (8.86%). Raleigh's median is -0.50% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leland spans $23,194,Raleigh spans $25,358. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Leland
P10 (Entry)$52,728
P25$59,481
Median$62,219
P75$72,894
P90 (Top)$75,922
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$54,731
P25$64,065
Median$67,733
P75$76,897
P90 (Top)$80,089

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($69,005 effective) pays 3.81% more than Leland ($66,473 effective).

Leland
Nominal: $62,219
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $66,473
Raleigh
Nominal: $67,733
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $69,005

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Leland if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,733/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,089)
  • Larger job market (1,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,005)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Leland grew 23.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.2% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Leland, NC

+23.1%

$47,805 (2024) → $58,864 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+37.2%

$46,710 (2019) → $64,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Leland or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,733/year, compared to Leland at $62,219/year — a difference of $5,514 (8.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leland and Raleigh?

Leland licensed practical nurses earn $29.91/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $32.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leland to Raleigh as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leland and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leland = $66,473, Raleigh = $69,005), job availability (6 vs 1,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Leland vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $52,728 in Leland and $54,731 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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