Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $34.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Durham, NC runs $34.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,463 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, licensed practical nurses are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $34.02 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $32.73. This competitive pay provides a considerable advantage for part-time and per-diem LPNs, who often find opportunities in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician office exam rooms. Within Durham, the hourly earnings can range from $25.51 for entry-level positions to $38.72 for experienced professionals, reflecting the demand for skilled nursing care and highlighting the responsible role LPNs play in patient support. These figures are based on the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, indicating a healthy hourly wage structure for LPNs in this region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.51 | $204.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.87 | $254.95 |
| Median (P50) | $34.02 | $272.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.13 | $297.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.72 | $309.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $34.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.02/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $70,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,830. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,360.99 | $5,898 | $70,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $816.60 | $3,539 | $42,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $544.40 | $2,359 | $28,309 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Durham) | $34.02 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $70,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.96% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.60% above the North Carolina state average of $67,013.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.02/hr = $42,463/year (purchasing power: $43,520).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,772/year (purchasing power: $72,533).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Durham grew 38.2% from $23.29/hr (2019) to $32.19/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.96/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 Durham 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 Durham
When considering part-time work, a licensed practical nurse working three days a week can earn a substantial amount, especially when comparing full-time and part-time schedules. For example, a typical LPN working 24 hours per week can take home a significantly lower annual income than a full-time counterpart, whose income could be substantially higher due to greater hours. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Durham varies widely; while some may earn between $28-$42 per hour, agency LPNs servicing understaffed facilities can command rates as high as $45-$60 per hour. Additionally, the hourly rate can differ by the type of employer—positions in skilled nursing and long-term care often pay less than those in hospitals or specialty clinics. It's essential for nurses in Durham to weigh the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits against positions that offer financial security through health insurance and other perks. For those negotiating their rates, emphasizing the specific demands of facilities and demonstrating clinical expertise may lead to better hourly pay outcomes.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Durham in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Durham?
Are licensed practical nurses in Durham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Durham?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Durham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Durham. 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