Nurse Practitioner salary in North Carolina
Nurse Practitioners in North Carolina earn a median of $128,990 a year ($62.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,320 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $132,300. North Carolina ranks 38th of 51 states for nurse practitioners pay. There are 2.0 nurse practitioners per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $130,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nurse practitioners in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| 25th percentile | $114,260 | $54.94 |
| Median | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| 75th percentile | $142,180 | $68.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,320 | $79.00 |
| Average (mean) | $130,870 | $62.92 |
Half of nurse practitioners 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 | $10,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,374.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,961.15 |
| Weekly | $2,480.58 |
| Hourly | $62.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Practitioner salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $132,300 | 1,450 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $132,230 | 820 |
| Burlington, NC | $131,980 | 80 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $130,840 | 750 |
| Greenville, NC | $130,430 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,310 | 1,970 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $128,150 | 1,510 |
| Asheville, NC | $127,770 | 520 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $126,620 | 300 |
| Wilmington, NC | $124,990 | 390 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $124,530 | 1,300 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $124,520 | 110 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $122,950 | 90 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $121,410 | 210 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $120,700 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $117,880 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $168,520 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 |
| Washington | $156,100 |
| Oregon | $155,680 |
| Alaska | $155,170 |
| New York | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 |
| Nevada | $140,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
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 29-1171. 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 nurse practitioner make in North Carolina?
The median salary for nurse practitioners in North Carolina is $128,990 a year, or $62.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse practitioners make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of nurse practitioners in North Carolina earn at least $164,320 a year. The top 25% earn $142,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse practitioners in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,530 a year, and a quarter of nurse practitioners earn $114,260 or less.
How many nurse practitioners work in North Carolina?
About 9,800 nurse practitioners are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.