Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in North Carolina
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $63,270 a year ($30.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $64,400. North Carolina ranks 29th of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 3.6 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| 25th percentile | $59,270 | $28.50 |
| Median | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 75th percentile | $69,700 | $33.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Average (mean) | $63,720 | $30.64 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,636.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,433.46 |
| Weekly | $1,216.73 |
| Hourly | $30.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $66,950 | 960 |
| Asheville, NC | $65,470 | 860 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,140 | 3,890 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,670 | 980 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $64,370 | 3,410 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $64,080 | 1,740 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,610 | 1,470 |
| Burlington, NC | $63,450 | 260 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,390 | 790 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $62,970 | 1,330 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,430 | 740 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $62,080 | 200 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $61,730 | 240 |
| Greenville, NC | $61,600 | 610 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $60,770 | 130 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,470 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Paramedic | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,150 | $21.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in North Carolina?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in North Carolina is $63,270 a year, or $30.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in North Carolina earn at least $74,730 a year. The top 25% earn $69,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,480 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $59,270 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in North Carolina?
About 18,010 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.