Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cornelius, NC: $66,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cornelius, NC earns a median $66,119/year (≈ $31.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $70,640 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cornelius, NC, licensed practical nursing offers competitive compensation, with an estimated median annual salary of $66,119 in 2026. The local salary range for LPNs spans from a lower 10th percentile figure of $55,242 to an upper 90th percentile earning of $80,618. Such estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, hint at the diverse employment dynamics in the area. LPNs often find roles in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics, impacting their pay as the structural choice between these environments plays a significant role in compensation rates across the board. Given the current healthcare landscape, exploring opportunities within skilled nursing could yield higher financial rewards for those considering a practical nursing career in Cornelius.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,242 | $26.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,125 | $30.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,119 | $31.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,657 | $36.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,618 | $38.76 |
Median Salary Position
2.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,376 (2026 est.). At $66,119, the local median is 2.87% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cornelius Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $66,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,989 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.87% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $66,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.87% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $66,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius 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.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,119 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,640 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,118
2025 BLS Actual
$62,553
2026 Current Est.
$66,119
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,118 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,691 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,118 (2019) to $62,553 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,769 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius 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) | $55,242 – $63,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,125 – $66,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,119 – $75,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,657 – $80,618 |
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 Cornelius
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Cornelius is relatively small, with only seven LPNs currently employed in the area. While the cost of living index stands at 93.6—indicating a lower-than-average living expense—the purchasing power for LPN salaries still varies based on employer type. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer some of the highest salaries in the region, significantly outpacing those from home health agencies and physician offices. Factors influencing the pay scale include weekend and holiday premiums, shift differentials, and specialized certifications like IV therapy. To maximize earning potential in this market, licensed practical nurses should consider pursuing additional certifications, targeting long-term care roles, and being open to scheduling flexibility that may come with higher pay. Engaging in LPN-to-RN bridge programs might further enhance their career trajectory and salary prospects within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $62,553 for licensed practical nursesin the Cornelius 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 Cornelius 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