Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $65,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $65,249/year (≈ $31.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $73,865 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a licensed practical nurse in Pinehurst, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $65,249. This figure reflects the local demand for skilled nursing professionals, especially as different healthcare settings pay varying rates—with skilled nursing facilities generally offering the highest compensation. The salary range in the area stretches from $51,159 at the bottom percentile to $74,825 at the top, indicating a diverse job market for LPNs in Pinehurst. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reveal that while local LPN pay is slightly below the national median of $68,071, the relatively stable employment rates signal viable opportunities for individuals looking to enter the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,159 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,141 | $27.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,249 | $31.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,248 | $33.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,825 | $35.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,666 (2026 est.). At $65,249, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be above the median
How Pinehurst Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $65,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,990 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.15% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $65,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.60% below the North Carolina state average of $66,990.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,865 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,511
2025 BLS Actual
$61,730
2026 Current Est.
$65,249
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,077 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,511 (2019) to $61,730 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,457 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $51,159 – $57,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,141 – $65,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,249 – $70,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,248 – $74,825 |
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 Pinehurst
The job market for licensed practical nurses remains robust in Pinehurst, with approximately 240 LPNs currently employed. The living costs in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 88.336, suggest that salaries may stretch further for LPNs, enhancing their purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities typically pay the most, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the type of work setting, shift differentials, and specialized certifications such as IV therapy. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Pinehurst should consider pursuing certifications that align with higher-paying settings, working extra shifts during weekends or holidays, and exploring opportunities within long-term care environments, which account for the majority of practical nursing jobs in the area.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $61,730 for licensed practical nursesin the Pinehurst 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, 2-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