Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $32.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Burlington, NC runs $32.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,067 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,247 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median rate of $32.25, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This competitive rate offers flexibility for those working part-time or as per-diem nurses, with typical employment settings including skilled nursing facilities, home health environments, physician offices, and hospice care. The hourly pay ranges from $28.75 for entry-level positions to $39.62 for those in top earning brackets. According to the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these hourly figures reflect the compensation landscape for LPNs in Burlington, indicating a solid earning potential aligned with local demand.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.75 | $230.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.20 | $249.62 |
| Median (P50) | $32.25 | $257.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.23 | $297.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.62 | $316.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $32.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.25/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,699. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,289.96 | $5,590 | $67,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $773.98 | $3,354 | $40,247 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $515.99 | $2,236 | $26,831 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Burlington) | $32.25 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Burlington, NC earn a median of $67,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% above the North Carolina state average of $67,000.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.25/hr = $40,247/year (purchasing power: $43,185).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,078/year (purchasing power: $71,975).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Burlington grew 32.7% from $22.99/hr (2019) to $30.51/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Burlington
Evaluating the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, a licensed practical nurse in Burlington who commits to a 3-day workweek can expect to earn significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, with potential variations in overall take-home pay largely influenced by their working hours. For those seeking per-diem roles, licensed practical nurses often bill between $28 and $42 per hour; however, agency positions can elevate earnings to the range of $45 to $60 an hour, particularly when staffing shortfalls occur. Nevertheless, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer type—skilled nursing facilities typically offer different pay structures than hospitals or home health agencies. Furthermore, some LPNs might opt for lower-paying roles that include health insurance and other benefits, while others may choose to maximize their hourly earnings without such perks. Successful negotiation tips for hourly workers in Burlington include understanding local market trends and being aware of the specific compensation strategies employed by different healthcare settings.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Burlington?
Are licensed practical nurses in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Burlington?
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov