Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina
Registered Nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $84,350 a year ($40.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 111,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,220 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $97,550. North Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,660 | $32.53 |
| 25th percentile | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Median | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| 75th percentile | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,220 | $52.99 |
| Average (mean) | $90,470 | $43.50 |
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 | $7,029.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,514.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,244.23 |
| Weekly | $1,622.12 |
| Hourly | $40.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $80,060 | 3,020 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| 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 29-1141. 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 North Carolina?
The median salary for registered nurses in North Carolina is $84,350 a year, or $40.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of registered nurses in North Carolina earn at least $110,220 a year. The top 25% earn $102,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,660 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,770 or less.
How many registered nurses work in North Carolina?
About 111,120 registered nurses are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.