Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina
A registered nurse in North Carolina earns an estimated $84,240 a year ($40.50/hr) — about 10% below the U.S. average, with most between $68,390 and $90,700. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered Nurse — North Carolina
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$84,240
-10% vs nationalHourly
$40.50/hr
- Typical range
- $68,390–$90,700
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $121,790
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $59,430
- Newer nurses
Registered Nurse pay by city in North Carolina
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Raleigh | $86,110 | $41.40 |
Registered Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How North Carolina compares to states with similar registered nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in North Carolina
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects registered nurse pay in North Carolina
Pay below the national median; growing metros. For a registered nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The North Carolina figure adjusts the national RN average of $93,600 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.90× (about 10% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official North Carolina wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for North Carolina, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in North Carolina make this page more precise over time.
Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina — FAQ
- How much does a registered nurse make in North Carolina?
- A registered nurse in North Carolina earns an estimated $84,240 a year — about $40.50 an hour, with most between $68,390 and $90,700. That's about 10% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and North Carolina's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is North Carolina a good state for registered nurses?
- For pay, North Carolina sits about 10% below the national average for registered nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $84,240 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in North Carolina pays registered nurses the most?
- Among North Carolina metros we track, Charlotte tends to have the highest estimated pay for registered nurses, at roughly $86,110 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does North Carolina registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a registered nurse is about $93,600 a year, versus an estimated $84,240 in North Carolina — about 10% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
North Carolina figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 0.90 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national registered nurse pay adjusted for North Carolina. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.