Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $64,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $64,234/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $69,755 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, NC, licensed practical nurse salaries reflect the local demand for skilled nursing professionals within diverse care settings. The projected median annual salary stands at $64,234 in 2026, marking a differential of approximately 5.64% below the national average of $68,071. For LPNs in this region, compensation varies widely, with figures ranging from $52,258 at the lowest percentiles to $79,212 for those in the highest brackets. This salary landscape, derived from the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscores how the choice between healthcare settings—such as long-term care facilities, home health, and clinics—can significantly impact potential earnings. As Jacksonville continues to grow and adapt, the role of practical nurses remains vital to meeting the healthcare needs of the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,258 | $25.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,332 | $25.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,234 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,788 | $31.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,212 | $38.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,954 (2026 est.). At $64,234, the local median is 5.64% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $64,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,980 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.64% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $64,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.64% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $66,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,234 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,755 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,090
2025 BLS Actual
$60,770
2026 Current Est.
$64,234
2019–2027 Growth
+57.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.0% from $43,090 (2019) to $60,770 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,805 (57.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $52,258 – $52,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,332 – $64,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,234 – $65,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,788 – $79,212 |
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 Jacksonville
In terms of the local job market, around 130 licensed practical nurses currently serve Jacksonville, representing a solid employment foundation in healthcare. Notably, the cost of living in the city, indexed at 92.085, implies that take-home earnings afford a reasonable lifestyle, though this figure remains below the national average. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive wages, while home health agencies and physician offices provide lower pay. The disparity between salaries can often be attributed to the work setting; long-term care jobs often include shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and special premiums for weekend and holiday work, which can bolster base pay significantly. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in the Jacksonville area, pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions in facilities that offer comprehensive benefits and incentives can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $60,770 for licensed practical nursesin the Jacksonville 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
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