verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$63,270/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$30.42/hr
▼ 2% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
18,010
public U.S. Median
$64,400
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$67,076 #28 of 51

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pay in North Carolina, explained

Licensed practical nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $63,270 per year ($30.42 per hour), which is 2% below the national median of $64,400. Entry-level workers earn around $50,480, while the most experienced licensed practical nurses reach about $74,730. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $63,270 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $63,270 is worth about $67,076 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #28 for real pay (vs #29 on the sticker number).

See the full Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$50,480
$24.27/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$63,270
$30.42/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$74,730
$35.93/hr

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $63,270 $67,076
Virginia $64,920 $64,211 −$1,650
Georgia $62,030 $64,418 +$1,240
South Carolina $61,820 $65,942 +$1,450
Tennessee $58,870 $64,080 +$4,400

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do licensed practical nurses make in North Carolina?

Licensed practical nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $63,270 per year ($30.42 per hour), compared with $64,400 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay licensed practical nurses well?

At $63,270, North Carolina pays 2% below the national median for licensed practical nurses. An estimated 18,010 work in the state.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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