Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Raleigh, NC: $67,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Raleigh, NC earns a median $67,733/year (≈ $32.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $69,005 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the licensed practical nurse salary in Raleigh is projected to rise to a median annual figure of $67,733 for the year 2026, which positions it slightly below the national median of $68,071. Salary ranges within the area show considerable variability, from a low of $54,731 at the 10th percentile to a high of $80,089 at the 90th percentile. These insights are drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate that competitive shift differentials and weekend premiums are essential components of compensation in the field of long-term care. This financial landscape reflects the notable demand for LPNs in Raleigh, stemming from a robust healthcare sector that values the essential services provided by these nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,731 | $26.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,065 | $30.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,733 | $32.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,897 | $36.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,089 | $38.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,358 (2026 est.). At $67,733, the local median is 0.5% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be above the median
How Raleigh Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $67,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,996 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.50% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $67,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% above the North Carolina state average of $66,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,005 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,710
2025 BLS Actual
$64,080
2026 Current Est.
$67,733
2019–2027 Growth
+53.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.2% from $46,710 (2019) to $64,080 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,883 (53.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $54,731 – $64,065 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,065 – $67,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,733 – $76,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,897 – $80,089 |
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 Raleigh
With approximately 1,740 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Raleigh, the job market remains strong amid a relatively low cost-of-living index of 98.157, which enhances the purchasing power for local LPNs. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay among employers, followed closely by hospitals and home health agencies. The range in compensation is influenced by various factors, including setting differences that typically see skilled nursing facilities offering superior pay packages compared to other options like physician offices or assisted living communities. Additionally, earning potential can be maximized through strategies such as obtaining IV therapy certification, seeking positions that offer charge LPN pay, and taking advantage of shift differentials or premiums for weekend and holiday hours. Understanding these dynamics can greatly benefit those asking how much do licensed practical nurses make in Raleigh, as it highlights not only salary expectations but also the avenues available for professional growth.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Raleigh, NC in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Raleigh?
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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 $64,080 for licensed practical nursesin the Raleigh 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