Nurse Practitioner Salary in North Carolina: $128,990 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in North Carolina earn a median of $128,990 per year — $62.01 an hour — $3,310 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #38 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of North Carolina NPs earn between $103,530 and $164,320. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
North Carolina NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of North Carolina NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in North Carolina
The median NP in North Carolina out-earns the median RN by $44,640 per year (53%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare North Carolina With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put North Carolina side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | North Carolina | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $128,990 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $62.01/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $103,530 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $142,180 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $164,320 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 9,800 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare North Carolina’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in North Carolina?
NPs in North Carolina earn a median of $128,990 per year — $62.01 per hour — $3,310 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks North Carolina #38 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in North Carolina?
The median NP in North Carolina earns $128,990 versus $84,350 for the median RN — a difference of $44,640 per year (53%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in North Carolina?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in North Carolina, the 10th percentile is $103,530 and the 25th percentile is $114,260. Most NPs move toward the $128,990 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in North Carolina?
9,800 nurse practitioners are employed in North Carolina per the BLS May 2025 estimates.