Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cary, NC: $67,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cary, NC earns a median $67,410/year (≈ $32.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $72,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Cary, North Carolina is projected to be $67,410. This figure reflects a salary range where the lowest earners can expect around $53,357, while top LPNs in the area may command as much as $90,093. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Among various factors influencing compensation, shift differentials and weekend premiums are significant drivers for those working in long-term care settings. As Cary continues to develop and expand, it presents a robust job market for licensed practical nurses, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies that frequently seek qualified professionals.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,357 | $25.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,467 | $30.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,836 | $37.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,093 | $43.32 |
Median Salary Position
0.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,736 (2026 est.). At $67,410, the local median is 0.97% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cary median: $67,410/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $67,008 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.97% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,410 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,019 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,019
2025 BLS Actual
$63,775
2026 Current Est.
$67,410
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,346 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,603 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,775 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,019 (2019) to $63,775 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,234 (51.54%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,357 – $62,467 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,467 – $67,410 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,410 – $78,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,836 – $90,093 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Cary
With 44 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the Cary area, the local job market demonstrates a solid demand, enhancing the attractiveness of the licensed practical nurse pay in Cary, NC. The cost-of-living index in the region stands at 93.6, indicating that residents benefit from a more affordable living situation compared to national averages, which translates to better purchasing power for LPNs. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, with positions often influenced by factors such as certifications in IV therapy or specialty areas and additional shift differentials. To optimize earnings in this competitive market, LPNs should consider pursuing opportunities in long-term care, which tends to pay more than positions in home health and physician offices, while also being strategic about taking shifts that offer higher premiums on weekends and holidays.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,775 for licensed practical nursesin the Cary metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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