RN Salary in North Carolina: $84,350 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in North Carolina earn a median of $84,350 per year — $40.56 an hour — $13,200 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #33 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of North Carolina RNs earn between $67,660 and $110,220. 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 RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of North Carolina RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare North Carolina With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put North Carolina side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | North Carolina | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $84,350 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $40.56/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $67,660 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $102,040 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $110,220 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 111,120 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
North Carolina has 155 board-approved nursing programs across 102 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in North Carolina?
RNs in North Carolina earn a median of $84,350 per year — $40.56 per hour — $13,200 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks North Carolina #33 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in North Carolina?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in North Carolina, the 10th percentile is $67,660 and the 25th percentile is $78,770. Most RNs move toward the $84,350 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in North Carolina earn?
The top 10% of RNs in North Carolina earn above $110,220 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in North Carolina?
111,120 registered nurses are employed in North Carolina per the BLS May 2025 estimates.