Registered Nurse salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Registered Nurses in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $80,060 a year ($38.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,990 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $84,350. There are 20 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,020 | $31.74 |
| 25th percentile | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Median | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| 75th percentile | $97,000 | $46.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Average (mean) | $84,510 | $40.63 |
Half of registered 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 | $6,671.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,335.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,079.23 |
| Weekly | $1,539.62 |
| Hourly | $38.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,620 | 27,010 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $89,450 | 16,870 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $86,120 | 10,180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,830 | 12,780 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $84,750 | 870 |
| Burlington, NC | $84,180 | 1,080 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $83,060 | 3,430 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $82,860 | 6,240 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $82,740 | 950 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $82,300 | 1,180 |
| Greenville, NC | $81,670 | 3,770 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,590 | 4,680 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $81,520 | 1,510 |
| Wilmington, NC | $80,970 | 5,040 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $80,060 a year, or $38.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $100,990 a year. The top 25% earn $97,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,020 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $77,320 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 3,020 registered nurses are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.