NC · Wilmington · Updated October 15, 2026

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Wilmington, NC

The median licensed practical nurse pay in the Wilmington area is $29.03 per hour ($60,390 a year), with the typical range running from $24.92 to $31.02. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Wilmington. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Wilmington. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Wilmington.

Open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Wilmington

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Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Wilmington, NC

The metro median is 2% below the North Carolina statewide median of $29.51 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.97 per hour. BLS counts about 920 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed in the Wilmington metro area, 4.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.20).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.93$47,69023% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$24.92$51,83017% below U.S. median
Median$29.03$60,3903% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$31.02$64,5204% above U.S. median
Top 10%$37.68$78,37026% above U.S. median

How Wilmington ranks

  • 200th of 386 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 236th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 10th 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 Wilmington

  • Overall prices in Wilmington run 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.03 median hour buys what $30.11 buys at the national price level, in line with 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.

Estimate your Wilmington paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,045
  • Per year: $52,254
  • Per month: $4,354

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

Travel assignment per diem in Wilmington

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$135
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,463
13-week assignment$19,019

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).

Hospitals in Wilmington

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Wilmington, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of licensed practical nurses.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Wilmington, NC
Acute careGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes
Wilmington Treatment Center
Wilmington, NC
Acute careNonprofitNot ratedNo

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

Primary care shortage areas in New Hanover County

HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include New Hanover County (2 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 17 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
Jacksonville, NC46 mi$26.40/hr70,840
Fayetteville, NC86 mi$29.81/hr209,496
Greenville, NC100 mi$27.17/hr95,138
Apex, NC119 mi$29.76/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC120 mi$29.76/hr499,825
Cary, NC121 mi$29.76/hr182,659

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 Wilmington

Wilmington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do licensed practical nurses make in Wilmington, NC?

Licensed Practical Nurses in the Wilmington metro area have a median pay of $29.03 per hour, about $60,390 a year. The middle half earn between $24.92 and $31.02 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Wilmington ranks 236th of 341 metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 200th of 386 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring licensed practical nurses in Wilmington?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Wilmington. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Wilmington.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Wilmington 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 Wilmington in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include New Hanover 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 Wilmington?

The federal per diem benchmark in Wilmington is $135 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,463 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 Wilmington?

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

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

Your LPN / LVN pay reportWilmington, 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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