Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Monroe, NC: $64,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Monroe, NC earns a median $64,424/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The licensed practical nurse salary in Monroe, NC, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,424 in 2026, which represents a decrease of approximately 5.36% compared to the national median of $68,071. This salary range spans from $53,198 at the 10th percentile to $81,382 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variations in compensation based on experience and work settings. These estimates are calculated from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living standards, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare market in Monroe. With North Carolina's specific scope-of-practice rules allowing LPNs to perform IV therapy and assessments, the demand for skilled practical nurses may align with the ongoing needs of healthcare facilities in the area.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,198 | $25.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,892 | $29.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,424 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,588 | $36.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,382 | $39.13 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,184 (2026 est.). At $64,424, the local median is 5.36% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Monroe median: $64,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,969 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.36% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Monroe, NC earn a median of $64,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $66,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe 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.
Monroe, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,829 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,936
2025 BLS Actual
$60,950
2026 Current Est.
$64,424
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,498 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,936 (2019) to $60,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,160 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $53,198 – $60,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,892 – $64,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,424 – $75,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,588 – $81,382 |
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 Monroe
The local job market in Monroe currently employs six licensed practical nurses, which indicates a relatively small but potentially stable workforce. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.6, nurses may find that their earnings stretch further compared to many other regions. Typically, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings offer the highest pay in Monroe, often due to the complex needs of their patients and the demand for specialized care. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including shift differentials, certification stipends for skills like IV therapy, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts. Maximizing earnings in this market may involve seeking positions in long-term care or acquiring additional certifications, especially as the trend of LPN-to-RN bridge programs continues to establish more advanced pathways in nursing careers.
More salary data for Monroe, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Monroe, NC in 2026?
Is Monroe, NC a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Monroe?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Monroe?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Monroe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $60,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Monroe 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 Monroe 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