Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $32.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Raleigh, NC runs $32.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,643 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $32.57 for 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $32.73, indicating a competitive local market for nursing professionals. For part-time LPNs working three days a week, this rate translates into a reasonable income that can support a modest lifestyle, particularly in settings such as skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities. The hourly wage range in the region stretches from $26.32 for entry-level positions to $38.51 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the diverse environments where LPNs can work, including home health visits and correctional facility infirmaries. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, highlights the important role of hourly compensation in this profession, especially for those balancing multiple jobs or pursuing per-diem opportunities.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.32 | $210.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.80 | $246.41 |
| Median (P50) | $32.57 | $260.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.97 | $295.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.51 | $308.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $32.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.57/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,079. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,302.65 | $5,645 | $67,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.59 | $3,387 | $40,643 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.06 | $2,258 | $27,095 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Raleigh) | $32.57 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $67,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% above the North Carolina state average of $66,996.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.57/hr = $40,643/year (purchasing power: $41,406).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,738/year (purchasing power: $69,009).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Raleigh grew 37.2% from $22.46/hr (2019) to $30.81/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Raleigh
Part-time licensed practical nurses in Raleigh working a 24-hour week could expect to take home a substantial annual income, though it wouldn't compare to those in full-time roles. Typically, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Raleigh can range from $28 to $42 per hour, often depending on the urgency of staffing needs in various healthcare settings. Agency nurses might receive even higher rates, reaching $45 to $60 per hour when filling gaps in understaffed facilities. Rates can vary significantly by employer type; for instance, skilled nursing facilities usually offer different compensation compared to hospitals and home health agencies. Many LPNs opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, prioritizing security over immediate higher pay. Negotiation becomes vital in this context, with strategies including highlighting specialized skills or flexibility that can persuade employers to offer competitive hourly rates while providing insight into Raleigh's local nursing job market.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Raleigh. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov