Registered Nurse Salary in North Carolina
Based on 111K+ workers in North Carolina
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$84,350
$40.55/hr
vs National Average
$94,098
-10.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$68K – $110K
111K employed in North Carolina
The median Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina is $84,350 per year. This places North Carolina's nursing compensation approximately 10% below the national average, with a salary range typically falling between $67,660 and $110,220 annually for the over 111,000 employed nurses in the state.
Several factors influence the Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina, including years of experience, specific certifications, and the type of healthcare facility. Demand in different geographic regions within the state and the nurse's specialization, such as critical care or pediatrics, also play a significant role in determining earning potential.
Salary Distribution — Registered Nurse in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $67,660 |
| 25th percentile | $78,770 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $84,350 |
| 75th percentile | $102,040 |
| 90th percentile | $110,220 |
Top H-1B Employers for Registered Nurse in North Carolina
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in North Carolina — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland County Hospital System, Inc | 10 | $82,711 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Registered Nurse H-1B Salary by Wage Level in North Carolina
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in North Carolina.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $82,711 | 10 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Registered Nurse (U.S.)
Which industries pay Registered Nurses the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Registered Nurses in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $110,780 | 170K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $100,010 | 23K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $97,660 | 2.9M |
| Information | $97,430 | 590 |
| Utilities | $95,280 | 70 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Registered Nurse in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $76,430 |
| 2023 | $79,580 |
| 2024 | $81,860 |
| 2025 | $84,350 |
| 2026 (projected) | $86,916 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $76,430 | $81,890 |
| 2023 | $79,580 | $86,652 |
| 2024 | $81,860 | $90,458 |
| 2025 | $84,350 | $94,098 |
| 2026 (projected) | $86,916 | $96,960 |
Registered Nurse Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $78,770 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $84,350 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $102,040 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $110,220 |
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
Related Registered Nurse Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Registered Nurse ($84,350 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Registered Nurse | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon in NC | $398,410 | +372.3% | $191.54/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in NC | $339,350 | +302.3% | $163.15/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in NC | $289,780 | +243.5% | $139.32/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in NC | $224,610 | +166.3% | $107.99/hr |
| Podiatrist in NC | $215,420 | +155.4% | $103.57/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in NC | $215,230 | +155.2% | $103.48/hr |
| Dentist in NC | $207,000 | +145.4% | $99.52/hr |
| Pediatrician in NC | $183,550 | +117.6% | $88.25/hr |
| Psychiatrist in NC | $168,880 | +100.2% | $81.19/hr |
| Optometrist in NC | $161,560 | +91.5% | $77.67/hr |
| Pharmacist in NC | $138,860 | +64.6% | $66.76/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in NC | $134,540 | +59.5% | $64.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in North Carolina?
- The median salary for a Registered Nurse in North Carolina is $84,350 per year, which is approximately $41 per hour. The salary range for RNs in the state falls between $67,660 and $110,220 annually.
What is the difference in Registered Nurse salary between North Carolina and the national average?
- Registered Nurses in North Carolina earn 10.4% less than the national average salary. While the median in NC is $84,350 annually, the national median is higher, reflecting this percentage difference.
What is the typical salary range for a Registered Nurse in North Carolina?
- In North Carolina, Registered Nurses can expect to earn within a range of $67,660 to $110,220 per year. The median salary sits at $84,350 annually, meaning half of RNs earn more than this figure and half earn less.
How many Registered Nurses are employed in North Carolina?
- North Carolina employs a significant number of Registered Nurses, with a total of 111,120 individuals in the profession. This large workforce contributes to the median annual salary of $84,350.