Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Concord, NC: $92,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Concord, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $92,192/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Concord's price premium (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $98,496 in average-cost America. The 32% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the potential for an experienced licensed practical nurse salary in Concord, North Carolina, reaches impressive heights, with top earners (P90) earning up to $92,192 annually. This compensation positions them above the national top-tier benchmark, reflecting the importance of experience in determining salary levels. With a median salary of $69,980 for senior roles, the gap between the median and top salaries suggests a substantial opportunity for those who excel in this profession. Achieving such a high level of pay typically requires a combination of extensive hands-on experience, advanced certifications, and specialization, all of which contribute to making a senior licensed practical nurse an invaluable asset in healthcare settings.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Concord earn between $83,578 and $92,192 per year (2026 est.). This $39,900 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Concord median of $69,980 sits 2.8% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Concord | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $69,980 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,578 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $92,192 | $88,196 |
In Concord, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 31.74% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Concord
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $69,980 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Concord employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Concord command premium compensation, often reaching the $83,578–$92,192 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Concord metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Concord with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Concord
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedConcord ranks #3 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $92,192).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Concord ($92,192) is 16.36% above the North Carolina average P90 ($79,227).
2019 BLS Actual
$66,230
2025 BLS Actual
$87,220
2026 Current Est.
$92,192
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,488 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,446 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Concord saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $66,230 in 2019 to $87,220 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $97,446 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Concord
Additionally, certain specializations can significantly affect senior licensed practical nurse pay in NC, with areas such as long-term care, IV therapy, and wound care leading the charge. Employers vary considerably, with different compensation structures found among skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, and physician offices. Nurses looking to advance can consider career pathways such as charge LPN, nursing supervisor roles, or pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs that pave the way for higher salaries. In North Carolina, having advanced credentials like an active LPN/LVN license or certifications in specialized fields can enhance earning potential substantially. Furthermore, factors such as shift differentials, specialty stipends, and weekend premiums further contribute to the non-salary components of compensation in this competitive market for seasoned professionals.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Concord in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Concord?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Concord?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Concord?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Concord?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $87,220 for licensed practical nurses in the Concord metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord 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