Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wilson, NC: $64,232 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wilson, NC earns a median $64,232/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wilson's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Wilson, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $64,232 in 2026, highlighting a competitive wage in a region where local regulations permit LPNs to engage in critical tasks like IV therapy and patient assessment. The salary range spans from $52,793 at the 10th percentile to $80,771 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of positions available and the varying levels of experience. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which stands at a cost-of-living index of 93.6. This index indicates that living expenses are generally lower than the national average, making the licensed practical nurse pay in Wilson favorable in relation to local affordability.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,793 | $25.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,478 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,232 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,571 | $36.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,771 | $38.83 |
Median Salary Position
5.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilson
In Wilson, NC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,978 (2026 est.). At $64,232, the local median is 5.64% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilson Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wilson median: $64,232/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $66,978 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.64% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wilson, NC earn a median of $64,232 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 $66,978.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilson 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.
Wilson, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,232 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,802
2025 BLS Actual
$60,768
2026 Current Est.
$64,232
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,067 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,359 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,232 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilson metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,802 (2019) to $60,768 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,091 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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) | $52,793 – $60,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,478 – $64,232 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,232 – $76,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,571 – $80,771 |
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 Wilson
Evaluating the job market for licensed practical nurses reveals a focused employment landscape, with only seven LPNs currently working in Wilson. The area’s cost of living is notably below average, contributing positively to the purchasing power of LPN salaries. High-paying opportunities are found primarily in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care, which tend to offer higher compensation than home health agencies or physician offices. Factors that influence salary variability include organizational setting, with those in skilled nursing and long-term care often earning more due to specialized roles like IV therapy certification and additional shift differentials. To maximize earning potential in this local market, pursuing further certifications, seeking positions in high-demand facilities, and being flexible with shifts—especially weekends and holidays—can enhance overall compensation in the field of practical nursing in Wilson, NC.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 $60,768 for licensed practical nursesin the Wilson 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 Wilson 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