NC · Chapel Hill · Updated October 15, 2026

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Chapel Hill, NC

The median licensed practical nurse pay in the Chapel Hill area is $30.27 per hour ($62,960 a year), with the typical range running from $28.21 to $32.57. That ranks 118th of 386 U.S. metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay, and 185th of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Chapel Hill.

Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Chapel Hill, NC

The metro median is 3% above the North Carolina statewide median of $29.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.97 per hour. BLS counts about 960 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, 2.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.68).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$23.58$49,05021% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$28.21$58,6806% below U.S. median
Median$30.27$62,9601% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$32.57$67,7509% above U.S. median
Top 10%$36.17$75,23021% above U.S. median

How Chapel Hill ranks

  • 118th of 386 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 185th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 13 North Carolina metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Chapel Hill

  • Overall prices in Durham-Chapel Hill run 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $30.27 median hour buys what $31.02 buys at the national price level, 4% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your Chapel Hill paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,090
  • Per year: $54,486
  • Per month: $4,540

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Chapel Hill

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$140
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,540
13-week assignment$20,020

Travel licensed practical nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in North Carolina

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Chapel Hill as they open.

PermanentPosted yesterday

Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration · Greenville, NC

$62k–$81k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 888641900
Top 25% payNew this week
View role

All Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in North Carolina

Hospitals in Chapel Hill

CMS lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of licensed practical nurses.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Unc Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC
Acute careGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Orange County

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Orange County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 18 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Durham, NC9 mi$30.27/hr301,870
Cary, NC16 mi$29.76/hr182,659
Apex, NC17 mi$29.76/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC23 mi$29.76/hr499,825
Burlington, NC26 mi$32.48/hr61,365
Wake Forest, NC30 mi$29.76/hr56,764

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in North Carolina · Licensed Practical Nurse jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Carolina

North Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a North Carolina license by endorsement.

North Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

North Carolina state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide

Other healthcare roles in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do licensed practical nurses make in Chapel Hill, NC?

Licensed Practical Nurses in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area have a median pay of $30.27 per hour, about $62,960 a year. The middle half earn between $28.21 and $32.57 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Chapel Hill a good place for licensed practical nurses once cost of living is counted?

Durham-Chapel Hill ranks 185th of 341 metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 118th of 386 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Where do licensed practical nurses work in Chapel Hill?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Chapel Hill, led by Unc Hospitals. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Chapel Hill as a licensed practical nurse?

North Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a North Carolina license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Chapel Hill in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Orange County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Chapel Hill?

The federal per diem benchmark in Chapel Hill is $140 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,540 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place licensed practical nurses in Chapel Hill?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Chapel Hill and across North Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Chapel Hill.

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What do employers near Chapel Hill pay licensed practical nurses? Get the report.

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Pay report · LPN / LVN near Chapel Hill, NC
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your LPN / LVN pay reportChapel Hill, NC · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Advocate HealthCharlotte, NC · 33 postings$30.12/ hr$23–$38
  • AmedisysRaleigh, NC · 7 postings$29.42/ hr$24–$34
  • ECU HealthRoanoke Rapids, NC · 2 postings$27.94/ hr$22–$34

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$24Median$30.12High$36

45 LPN / LVN postings with published pay in North Carolina, 41 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 45 LPN / LVN roles

  1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Outpatient Behavioral HealthPermanent
    $24.10–$36.15/ hour
    Advocate Health · North Carolina · posted today
  2. Licensed Practical NursePermanent
    $26.00–$33.00/ hour
    Amedisys · Charlotte, NC · posted today

+ 43 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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