Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in North Carolina: $67,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $67,785/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,420 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chapel Hill ($67,510), Durham ($66,950), Concord ($66,206).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in North Carolina is projected to be $67,784, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of -0.4%. The highest salaries are found in Chapel Hill at $71,358, while Leland offers the lowest at $62,219, creating a salary gap of $9,139. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services in urban areas, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that differ from other regions, influencing job roles and responsibilities for LPNs. The demand for LPNs in North Carolina is driven by an aging population and an expanding healthcare system, with a projected growth rate of 5.70% for the profession. Overall, LPNs can expect solid job prospects, particularly in metropolitan areas. Other top-paying cities include Durham at $70,766, Concord at $69,980, Winston-Salem at $69,442, and Asheville at $69,202. The consistent demand for nursing professionals indicates a strong job market for LPNs in the state.
North Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $49,332 (lowest entry-level) to $95,555 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina licensed practical nurses earn 0.42% less than the national median ($-286/year difference).
North Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in North Carolina range from $54,190 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,227 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,785. The North Carolina median is $286 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.59/hr. Approximately 14,744 licensed practical nurses are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,115
2025 BLS Actual
$64,129
2026 Current Est.
$67,785
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,327 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,321 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,338 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,813 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.1% from $46,115 (2019) to $64,129 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,533 (55.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $62,219 |
| Carrboro | $63,152 |
| Indian Trail | $63,400 |
| Goldsboro | $63,917 |
| Boone | $63,953 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | $71,358 | 93.6 | $76,237 |
| Concord | $69,980 | 93.6 | $74,765 |
| Hickory | $65,989 | 88.486 | $74,576 |
| Rocky Mount | $65,619 | 88.012 | $74,557 |
| Fayetteville | $68,356 | 91.978 | $74,318 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,190 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,785 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,227 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $71,358 |
| 2 | Durham | $70,766 |
| 3 | Concord | $69,980 |
| 4 | Winston-Salem | $69,442 |
| 5 | Asheville | $69,202 |
| 6 | Charlotte | $68,853 |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $68,356 |
| 8 | Raleigh | $67,733 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $67,721 |
| 10 | Kannapolis | $67,615 |
| 11 | Apex | $67,456 |
| 12 | Cary | $67,410 |
| 13 | Gastonia | $67,385 |
| 14 | Greensboro | $67,236 |
| 15 | Burlington | $67,067 |
| 16 | Wilmington | $67,003 |
| 17 | Winston | $66,559 |
| 18 | Statesville | $66,446 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $66,389 |
| 20 | Matthews | $66,233 |
| 21 | High Point | $66,200 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $66,119 |
| 23 | Sanford | $66,061 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $66,060 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $66,031 |
| 26 | Hickory | $65,989 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $65,853 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $65,844 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $65,734 |
| 30 | New Bern | $65,708 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $65,693 |
| 32 | Rocky Mount | $65,619 |
| 33 | Pinehurst | $65,249 |
| 34 | Greenville | $65,111 |
| 35 | Holly Springs | $64,652 |
| 36 | Mooresville | $64,450 |
| 37 | Monroe | $64,424 |
| 38 | Garner | $64,278 |
| 39 | Jacksonville | $64,234 |
| 40 | Wilson | $64,232 |
| 41 | Boone | $63,953 |
| 42 | Goldsboro | $63,917 |
| 43 | Indian Trail | $63,400 |
| 44 | Carrboro | $63,152 |
| 45 | Leland | $62,219 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in North Carolina?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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