Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina
Registered Nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $39.36 per hour, about $81,860 a year, 13% below the U.S. median of $45.00. The middle half earn between $35.92 and $47.46 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Burlington, NC, at $41.88 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $39.36median pay per hour
- $81,860median pay per year
- 108,510registered nurses employed in North Carolina
- #31of 50 states by median pay
Registered Nurse pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.86 | $64,190 | $31.75 |
| Lower quartile | $35.92 | $74,710 | $37.79 |
| Median | $39.36 | $81,860 | $45.00 |
| Upper quartile | $47.46 | $98,720 | $51.90 |
| Top 10% | $51.50 | $107,120 | $65.06 |
Registered Nurse pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NC | $41.88 | $87,110 | 1,070 | 6% above | $44.94 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $40.80 | $84,870 | 12,820 | 4% above | $41.57 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40.76 | $84,780 | 25,440 | 4% above | $41.87 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $40.51 | $84,270 | 8,950 | 3% above | $44.01 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40.48 | $84,200 | 6,000 | 3% above | $43.59 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $39.07 | $81,260 | 3,350 | 1% below | $42.48 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $38.99 | $81,090 | 1,120 | 1% below | $44.30 |
| Greenville, NC | $38.88 | $80,870 | 3,830 | 1% below | $43.98 |
| Asheville, NC | $38.81 | $80,720 | 4,760 | 1% below | $40.22 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38.42 | $79,910 | 1,020 | 2% below | — |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $37.57 | $78,140 | 1,780 | 5% below | — |
| Jacksonville, NC | $37.43 | $77,860 | 890 | 5% below | $40.65 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $37.35 | $77,680 | 2,950 | 5% below | $42.21 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36.40 | $75,710 | 4,400 | 8% below | $37.75 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Registered Nurse pay in states next to North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $41.61 | $86,560 | 6% above North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $38.41 | $79,900 | 2% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $38.00 | $79,030 | 3% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $42.70 | $88,820 | 8% above North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 261roles with published pay
- $47.75median pay per hour
- $36–$57typical published range
- 10employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate Health | 194 | $47.75 |
| ECU Health | 36 | $40.38 |
| Sentara Healthcare | 12 | $51.47 |
| Amedisys | 9 | $39.90 |
| BrightSpring Health Services | 4 | $43.75 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 2 | $56.27 |
| Department of War Education Activity | 1 | $47.95 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 1 | $52.18 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 261 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Registered Nurse jobs in North Carolina · Registered Nurse salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide · North Carolina licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in North Carolina?
The median is $39.36 per hour, about $81,860 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $30.86 and the top 10% earn over $51.50 (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays registered nurses the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Burlington, NC has the highest median at $41.88 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for registered nurse pay?
North Carolina ranks 31st of 50 states by median registered nurse pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay registered nurses? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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Your RN pay reportNorth Carolina · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Veterans Health AdministrationFayetteville, NC · 2 postings$56.27/ hr$40–$75
- Sentara HealthcareElizabeth City, NC · 12 postings$51.47/ hr$36–$61
- Advocate HealthCharlotte, NC · 194 postings$47.75/ hr$36–$77
- BrightSpring Health ServicesWINSTON-SALEM, NC · 4 postings$43.75/ hr$39–$48
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
261 RN postings with published pay in North Carolina, 255 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 261 RN roles
- Registered Nurse - Veterans Affairs Surgery Quality Improvement Program Quality Consultant (VASQIP)Permanent$86k–$144k/ year
- Clinical Nurse Specialist - CardiacPermanent$92k–$134k/ year
+ 259 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.