How Much Does an LPN Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical LPN in North Carolina earns about $30.42 per hour ($63,270 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $5,272 a month, or about $1,217 a week, figures calculated from the annual median. For someone weighing a move into the field, or comparing offers, these numbers offer a starting point for what to expect.

North Carolina's typical LPN pay sits about 2% below the national figure of $64,400 a year ($30.96 an hour). That gap places the state 29th among the 51 states and Washington, D.C., for LPN pay. Around 18,010 LPNs work across North Carolina, compared with 648,410 nationwide, giving a sense of scale for how many people earn at these figures.

Entry-level positions in North Carolina typically offer around $24.27 an hour ($50,480 a year), based on the pay reported for the newest LPNs in the state. Pay in the next tier up, covering LPNs with a couple of years of experience, moves to around $28.50 an hour ($59,270 a year). From there, pay continues climbing toward the state's typical figure of $30.42 an hour as LPNs gain more time on the job.

Experienced LPNs in North Carolina often earn upwards of $33.51 an hour ($69,700 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $35.93 an hour ($74,730 a year). That leaves a spread of $24,250 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, city, and years on the job all factor into where an individual LPN lands within that range.

North Carolina LPN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $42,160 in 2015 to $63,270 in 2025. That's a gain of $21,110, or 50%, over ten years. The increase wasn't a straight line; the sharpest jumps came between 2022 and 2024, when pay rose from $51,300 to $61,380.

That 50% rise outpaces the national decade gain of 49% by a narrow margin, meaning North Carolina's LPN pay has grown roughly in step with the rest of the country. The two trends have tracked each other closely over the ten-year period, rather than one state pulling far ahead. Pay has moved up steadily for LPNs entering the field now, though past growth doesn't guarantee future increases.

Pay for LPNs runs highest in Durham and Chapel Hill, where typical pay reaches $66,950 a year ($32.19 an hour), about 6% above the state figure. Asheville follows close behind at $65,470 a year, and Charlotte pays $65,140 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits.

At the other end, Goldsboro pays the least among the state's tracked cities, at $60,470 a year ($29.07 an hour), putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $6,480. Charlotte employs the most LPNs of any North Carolina city, with 3,890 working there. Cities with higher pay also tend to carry higher costs of living, which can offset some of the difference in take-home value.

North Carolina's LPN pay lands in the middle of its neighbors. Virginia pays more, at $64,920 a year, about 3% above North Carolina's figure. Georgia and South Carolina both pay slightly less, at $62,030 and $61,820 respectively, while Tennessee trails furthest behind at $58,870, about 7% lower. Nursing licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can widen options for LPNs considering a move.

LPNs in North Carolina typically earn $63,270 a year, a figure that has grown 50% over the past decade. That growth reflects a steady rise in pay across the state, not a single sudden jump. For anyone weighing this path, the next steps are to check North Carolina's board of nursing for licensing requirements and to look at city-specific pages for local pay figures, since actual pay can vary by employer and location within the state.