North Carolina Median
$63,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $64,400
State Rank
#29 of 51
18,010 employed here
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in North Carolina?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in North Carolina take home a median of $63,270 annually — roughly $30.42 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $64,400.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $50,480 while the top 10% make $74,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,270 and $69,700 a year.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,480 | $24.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,270 | $28.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,700 | $33.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,730 | $35.93 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other states
Washington $83,150Alaska $80,800Oregon $80,470Massachusetts $80,220Rhode Island $80,090California $79,750New Hampshire $77,110Arizona $77,070Nevada $76,160District of Columbia $75,740New Jersey $75,160Illinois $75,000Maryland $74,660Colorado $73,880Connecticut $73,690Maine $73,200Hawaii $71,140Vermont $69,930Delaware $68,710New York $67,180Indiana $65,720Michigan $65,460Virginia $64,920Pennsylvania $63,940Idaho $63,800Wisconsin $63,760Minnesota $63,750Wyoming $63,460Utah $63,230Nebraska $62,660Iowa $62,630North Dakota $62,300Texas $62,240Montana $62,210Georgia $62,030Ohio $61,950South Carolina $61,820Florida $61,770Kansas $61,760Missouri $61,530Kentucky $60,460New Mexico $59,330Tennessee $58,870Oklahoma $58,320Louisiana $57,470Alabama $57,030Arkansas $56,620West Virginia $55,360South Dakota $52,750Mississippi $50,220
Working as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in North Carolina
Nationally, about 648,000 people work as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($63,270) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in North Carolina?
The median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in North Carolina is $63,270 per year, or about $30.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,480 at the entry level to $74,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses about 2% less than the national median of $64,400. North Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,270 a year. About 18,010 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.