Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $32.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Cary, NC runs $32.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,410 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,445 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Cary, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $32.41, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This competitive pay reflects the valuable role LPNs play in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, hospice care, correctional facility infirmaries, and assisted living medication rooms. For part-time workers, often those who take on shifts three days a week, the hourly wage can lead to manageable earnings. Entry-level LPNs in Cary earn around $25.65, while more experienced professionals can reach the top of the pay scale at $43.32 per hour. These hourly rates are derived from the projected 2026 annual salary data, giving a clear view of the earning potential for LPNs in the area.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.65 | $205.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.03 | $240.23 |
| Median (P50) | $32.41 | $259.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.90 | $303.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.32 | $346.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $32.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.41/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,889. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,296.30 | $5,617 | $67,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.78 | $3,370 | $40,445 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.52 | $2,247 | $26,963 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Cary) | $32.41 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $67,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.60% above the North Carolina state average of $67,008.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.41/hr = $40,445/year (purchasing power: $43,210).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,408/year (purchasing power: $72,017).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Cary grew 35.6% from $22.60/hr (2019) to $30.66/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.25/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 Cary 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 Cary
In Cary, licensed practical nurses working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to earn close to $40,000 annually, which is a considerable sum compared to full-time salaries. Many LPNs opt for per-diem or agency positions where pay can vary significantly, with rates often reaching between $28 and $42 per hour for per diem work. In understaffed nursing facilities, agency LPNs may earn up to $60 per hour. Different employer types also affect hourly pay, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering competitive wages, while hospitals may trend toward all-RN staff models, limiting LPN opportunities. The choice between higher hourly rates and employer-provided benefits can be a critical consideration for many in Cary. Practical negotiation strategies can help LPNs advocate for their worth—underscoring their unique skills in areas such as IV therapy and assessment, which can vary by state scope-of-practice laws. Staying informed about local demand and salary benchmarks can empower LPNs to secure better hourly pay in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Cary in 2026?
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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 Cary. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cary is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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