Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $65,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $65,619/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $74,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,619, slightly below the national median of $68,071. Salaries in this field reflect a range from $53,738 at the 10th percentile to $75,068 at the 90th percentile, providing a decent variation based on experience, skill level, and work setting. Data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights the significant responsibilities that LPNs hold, particularly in handling IV therapy and patient assessments, with these factors contributing to their overall compensation. Given the local healthcare landscape, Rocky Mount presents unique employment opportunities for LPNs, making it a suitable market for aspiring healthcare professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,738 | $25.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,896 | $28.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,619 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,272 | $32.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,068 | $36.09 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,330 (2026 est.). At $65,619, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be above the median
How Rocky Mount Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $65,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $67,026 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.60% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $65,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.10% below the North Carolina state average of $67,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,619 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,557 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,230
2025 BLS Actual
$62,080
2026 Current Est.
$65,619
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 34.3% from $46,230 (2019) to $62,080 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,129 (50.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $53,738 – $58,896 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,896 – $65,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,619 – $68,272 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,272 – $75,068 |
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 Rocky Mount
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Rocky Mount is characterized by approximately 200 employed LPNs, an indicator of stable demand for their services. With a cost of living index of 88.012, the financial landscape for LPNs offers a relatively lower burden compared to national standards, enhancing purchasing power for these healthcare practitioners. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by home health agencies and hospitals, with pay variations often influenced by settings and additional certifications like IV therapy. Understanding the drivers behind compensation, such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay, can greatly impact earnings. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Rocky Mount, seeking roles in long-term care or pursuing specialized certifications is recommended to increase their marketability and wage potential.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $62,080 for licensed practical nursesin the Rocky Mount 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