Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Raleigh, NC: $80,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Raleigh, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $80,089/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Raleigh's price premium (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $81,593 in average-cost America. The 18% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, experienced licensed practical nurses in Raleigh can anticipate a median annual salary of $67,733, with top earners in the 90th percentile reaching as high as $80,089. This figure places them slightly below the national top earners' average, which stands at $68,071. The substantial gap between the median and the upper-tier salary highlights the financial rewards for those who attain significant experience in their field. To achieve this top-tier pay in Raleigh, LPNs must not only develop their clinical expertise but also actively seek specialized training and certifications that distinguish them in the job market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Raleigh earn between $76,897 and $80,089 per year (2026 est.). This $25,358 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Raleigh median of $67,733 sits 0.5% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Raleigh | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $67,733 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,897 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $80,089 | $88,196 |
In Raleigh, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 18.24% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Raleigh
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $67,733 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Raleigh employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Raleigh command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,897–$80,089 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Raleigh metro area, which is a large LPN employment market, 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 Raleigh with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive 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 Raleigh
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedRaleigh ranks #29 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $80,089).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Raleigh ($80,089) is 1.09% above the North Carolina average P90 ($79,227).
2019 BLS Actual
$57,270
2025 BLS Actual
$75,770
2026 Current Est.
$80,089
2019–2027 Growth
+47.8%
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 | $57,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,654 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Raleigh saw their compensation grow 32.3% from $57,270 in 2019 to $75,770 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 $84,654 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Raleigh
Positioning oneself as a senior licensed practical nurse potential for progress begins with identifying niche specialties. In Raleigh, areas such as long-term care and palliative care are particularly lucrative, often offering higher salaries for those with specialized certifications like IV therapy or wound care. Senior-level compensation can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer type, with skilled nursing facilities often leading in pay alongside potential shifts in home health settings. Advancement opportunities are within reach through roles such as nursing supervisor or MDS coordinator, which typically require additional credentials and training. Other compensation elements, such as shift differentials and weekend premiums, further enhance the overall earnings potential for seasoned LPNs in NC. By strategically investing in their career through advanced qualifications, experienced licensed practical nurses can not only boost their salaries but also open doors to leadership roles and increased job satisfaction.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Raleigh in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Raleigh?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Raleigh?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Raleigh?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Raleigh?
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 $75,770 for licensed practical nurses in the Raleigh 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
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