Licensed Practical Nurse salary in North Carolina
Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $29.51 per hour, about $61,380 a year, 2% below the U.S. median of $29.97. The middle half earn between $26.14 and $32.00 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Burlington, NC, at $32.48 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $29.51median pay per hour
- $61,380median pay per year
- 17,430employed in North Carolina
- #27of 50 states by median pay
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $23.58 | $49,050 | $23.06 |
| Lower quartile | $26.14 | $54,370 | $26.55 |
| Median | $29.51 | $61,380 | $29.97 |
| Upper quartile | $32.00 | $66,560 | $35.17 |
| Top 10% | $36.34 | $75,590 | $38.71 |
Licensed Practical Nurse pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $32.48 | $67,550 | 350 | 10% above | $34.85 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $30.51 | $63,450 | 3,980 | 3% above | $31.34 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $30.27 | $62,960 | 960 | 3% above | $31.02 |
| Asheville, NC | $29.92 | $62,220 | 800 | 1% above | $31.00 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $29.91 | $62,210 | 1,410 | 1% above | $32.21 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29.81 | $62,000 | 1,000 | 1% above | $32.41 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $29.76 | $61,890 | 1,540 | 1% above | $30.32 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $29.58 | $61,520 | 1,350 | in line with | $32.14 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $29.48 | $61,310 | 600 | in line with | $33.32 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29.03 | $60,390 | 920 | 2% below | $30.11 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28.98 | $60,280 | 200 | 2% below | $32.93 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $27.94 | $58,120 | 180 | 5% below | — |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $27.38 | $56,960 | 220 | 7% below | — |
| Greenville, NC | $27.17 | $56,510 | 390 | 8% below | $30.73 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $26.40 | $54,920 | 140 | 11% below | $28.67 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in states next to North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $28.12 | $58,490 | 5% below North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $28.39 | $59,050 | 4% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $26.22 | $54,530 | 11% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $29.96 | $62,310 | 2% above North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 45roles with published pay
- $30.12median pay per hour
- $24–$36typical published range
- 6employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate Health | 33 | $30.12 |
| Amedisys | 7 | $29.42 |
| ECU Health | 2 | $27.94 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $34.24 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 1 | $30.72 |
| Acadia Healthcare | 1 | $31.50 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 45 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in North Carolina · Licensed Practical Nurse salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide · North Carolina licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse make in North Carolina?
The median is $29.51 per hour, about $61,380 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $23.58 and the top 10% earn over $36.34 (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays licensed practical nurses the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Burlington, NC has the highest median at $32.48 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for licensed practical nurse pay?
North Carolina ranks 27th of 50 states by median licensed practical nurse pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay licensed practical nurses? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
170+ Licensed Practical Nurse roles in North Carolina, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your LPN / LVN pay reportNorth Carolina · 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
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
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Outpatient Behavioral HealthPermanent$24.10–$36.15/ hour
- Licensed Practical NursePermanent$26.00–$33.00/ hour
+ 43 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.