How Much Does an RN Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical RN in North Carolina earns about $40.56 per hour ($84,350 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,029 a month and $1,622 a week. These figures reflect RNs working across hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings statewide. Actual pay varies by experience, employer, and city.

That pay sits 14% below the national typical figure of $97,550 a year, ranking North Carolina 33rd among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Lower pay here often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 111,120 RNs work across North Carolina, a sizable workforce for the profession. City and regional figures show more variation than the statewide number alone.

Entry-level positions in North Carolina typically offer around $32.53 an hour, or about $67,660 a year, according to the same wage data. New RNs often start near this figure in their first roles, particularly in outpatient or long-term care settings. Pay typically climbs toward the statewide typical figure of $84,350 within the first several years on the job. Experience, credentials, and setting all shape how quickly that happens.

Experienced RNs often earn upwards of $52.99 an hour, with the top 10% of earners making over $110,220 a year. That leaves a spread of $42,560 between entry-level and top-tier pay in North Carolina. Specialty certifications, leadership roles, and higher-paying cities such as Charlotte tend to separate the two groups. Years on the job alone rarely explain the full gap.

North Carolina RN pay has climbed from $58,950 in 2015 to $84,350 in 2025, a gain of $25,400. That amounts to a 43% rise over the decade, according to the same wage data. The increase has been steady year over year rather than a single jump. Pay in 2025 sits well above where it stood a decade earlier.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, just ahead of North Carolina's pace. The two trends have moved in a similar direction, with the state keeping close to the national pattern. For someone starting a nursing career in North Carolina now, pay has moved up steadily in recent years, though future gains aren't guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Charlotte, where RNs earn $90,620 a year ($43.57 an hour), about 7% above the statewide figure. Norfolk-Chesapeake and the Winston-Salem area follow closely, with typical pay near $89,450 and $86,120 a year. Raleigh-Cary rounds out the higher-paying metro areas, at $84,830 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area.

At the other end, Hickory pays the least among the state's metro areas, with RNs earning $80,060 a year. That's a spread of $10,560 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in North Carolina. Charlotte also holds the largest RN workforce in the state, with 27,010 nurses employed there. Higher pay in cities like Charlotte typically comes with a higher cost of living.

Neighboring states show a mixed picture. RNs in Virginia earn $93,600 a year, about 11% more than in North Carolina, and Georgia pays a similar $93,550, also 11% higher. South Carolina and Tennessee both pay somewhat less, at $82,360 and $81,500. Nursing licenses can often be endorsed or transferred between neighboring states, which can make it easier to compare offers across state lines.

North Carolina RNs typically earn $84,350 a year as of the latest wage data (May 2025), up 43% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, experience, and employer, from entry-level roles near $67,660 to top earners above $110,220. Readers considering a nursing career in North Carolina can check the North Carolina Board of Nursing for licensing requirements and review city-specific pages on this site for local pay figures.