BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina

$63,720 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$30.63 per hour

▼ 5.0% below U.S. average29th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$63,720per year
Median$63,270per year
Hourly$30.63per hour
10th – 90th percentile$50,480 – $74,730per year

Licensed Practical Nurses Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,480
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$59,270
  • 50th Percentile — Median$63,270
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$69,700
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,730

Half of Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina earn more than $63,270. The top 10% make $74,730 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,480.

Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 29th of 51 states for Licensed Practical Nurses pay, at $63,720 per year (5.0% below the U.S. average of $67,050).
  • 18,010 people work as Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina — 2.8% of all U.S. Licensed Practical Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.87: Licensed Practical Nurses jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,480; the top 10% earn over $74,730.
  • Hourly equivalent: $30.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $83,900.
  • Among healthcare jobs in North Carolina, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($377,270).

Licensed Practical Nurses Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Licensed Practical Nurses here earn $63,720 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $63,720 is roughly equivalent to $70,022 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($65,840), Minnesota ($64,900), Nebraska ($64,560) are the closest alternatives for Licensed Practical Nurses weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in North Carolina?

The average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in North Carolina is $63,720 per year (median $63,270), which is 5.0% below the national average of $67,050.

How does North Carolina rank for Licensed Practical Nurses pay?

North Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($83,900/yr).

How much do entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Licensed Practical Nurses in North Carolina earn about $50,480 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,270.

How much do Licensed Practical Nurses make per hour in North Carolina?

About $30.63 per hour, based on the $63,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Licensed Practical Nurses work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 18,010 Licensed Practical Nurses jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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