Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Winston-Salem, NC: $33.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Winston-Salem, NC runs $33.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,442 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Winston-Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,672 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, NC, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $33.39, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $32.73. This rate is beneficial not only for full-time nurses but also for part-time and per-diem workers who may find themselves employed in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities or home health care. For those working three days a week, the flexibility can be attractive, allowing LPNs to balance work with personal commitments while still achieving a stable income. The hourly range for LPNs in the area extends from $23.72 for entry-level positions to $44.56 for experienced professionals, offering a progression that recognizes skill and dedication. These projections indicate a strong demand for practical nursing roles and suggest that many industry settings will continue to rely on the expertise of licensed practical nurses in 2026.
About the Winston-Salem 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) | $23.72 | $189.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.96 | $231.69 |
| Median (P50) | $33.39 | $267.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.04 | $320.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.56 | $356.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston-Salem
Based on $33.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.39/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston-Salem, NC can expect to earn approximately $69,453 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,069. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston-Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston-Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,335.63 | $5,788 | $69,453 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $801.38 | $3,473 | $41,672 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $534.25 | $2,315 | $27,781 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Winston-Salem) | $33.39 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $69,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.01% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $67,029.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.39/hr = $41,672/year (purchasing power: $44,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,453/year (purchasing power: $74,201).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Winston-Salem (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 | $23.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Winston-Salem grew 35.6% from $23.29/hr (2019) to $31.59/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.29/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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
In terms of earning potential, a licensed practical nurse working part-time—say, 24 hours a week—could expect to take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts, which shifts the financial landscape for many. A per diem licensed practical nurse in Winston-Salem might bill anywhere from $28 to $42 per hour, but agency LPNs can command between $45 and $60 in response to staffing shortages at nursing facilities. When it comes to different employment settings, hourly rates can vary widely; skilled nursing facilities tend to offer lower pay compared to hospitals or private practices, reflecting their long-term care focus. While some LPNs might accept lower hourly wages for positions that include health benefits, others may choose higher hourly rates without benefits, opting for the flexibility of per diem roles. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding local market conditions and being aware of the varying pay scales in different healthcare settings can significantly empower one’s ability to secure a favorable rate in Winston-Salem.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Winston-Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Winston-Salem?
Are licensed practical nurses in Winston-Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Winston-Salem?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Winston-Salem?
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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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