Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $32.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Wilmington, NC runs $32.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,207 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $32.22, slightly below the national median of $32.73. For those in part-time or per-diem roles, this rate can translate into a diverse array of work environments, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician office exam rooms. The hourly range in 2026 spans from entry-level earnings at approximately $26.25 to upper-tier professionals at around $36.83. These figures reflect the local job market's competitiveness and appeal to both new entrants and seasoned LPNs looking to maximize their earning potential in various care settings across Wilmington.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.25 | $209.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.18 | $233.47 |
| Median (P50) | $32.22 | $257.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.45 | $267.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.83 | $294.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $32.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.22/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,012 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,661. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,288.69 | $5,584 | $67,012 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $773.22 | $3,351 | $40,207 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $515.48 | $2,234 | $26,805 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Wilmington) | $32.22 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $67,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.57% lower than the national median of $68,071.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.22/hr = $40,207/year (purchasing power: $41,699).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,012/year (purchasing power: $69,499).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wilmington grew 36.6% from $22.32/hr (2019) to $30.48/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.05/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Assessing the earning potential of a licensed practical nurse working part-time, for example, a typical schedule of three days a week (24 hours) would yield around $40,000 annually, unlike their full-time counterparts who may enjoy better benefits and stability. Furthermore, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Wilmington varies significantly, with agency nurses in understaffed facilities billing up to $60/hr, while standard per-diem rates often range between $28 and $42/hr. The environment in which an LPN works can greatly influence pay rates, as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may offer lower hourly wages compared to hospitals or agencies. Many LPNs must weigh the benefits of reliable healthcare coverage and consistent hours against the allure of higher pay without benefits. When negotiating hourly pay in Wilmington, LPNs should leverage their skills and certifications, especially in light of North Carolina's distinctive scope-of-practice regulations, to secure better compensation, particularly in roles that require specialized expertise like IV therapy or long-term care management.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wilmington 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 Wilmington. 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