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2026 Salary Data — Raleigh, NC
Updated April 28, 2026

Nurse Practitioner Salary in Raleigh: $135K Median

Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh, NC earn between $100K and $184K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $128,490 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh, NC is $134,915 per year — +5% above the US national median of $128,490. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh earned approximately $20,442 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$134,915
+560.0% YoY · $11,243/mo
Entry
$105,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$162,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,750
Senior/lead
Nurse Practitioner Salary — Raleigh vs Nearby
Raleigh
$135K
Charlotte
$131K
+3% vs Raleigh
Dallas
$135K
+0% vs Raleigh
Virginia Beach
$126K
+7% vs Raleigh

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About Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh

NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and provide primary or specialty care.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis
  • Treatment plans
  • Prescription writing
  • Specialty care
  • Patient education

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's or DNP

In-demand certifications

NP certification (FNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.)BLS/ACLSDEA registrationState NP license

Raleigh Job Market

Research Triangle anchor with major tech and pharmaceutical presence.

Population
469K
Cost of Living
101
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$445K

Top Industries in Raleigh

Tech (Research Triangle)HealthcareEducationPharmaceuticals

Top Employers Hiring Nurse Practitioners

Major employers active in Raleigh or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Veterans Health
Community health centers
Telehealth companies

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Nurse Practitioner listings.

Telehealth NPMental health (PMHNP)Pediatric NPGeriatric NPFull practice authority states

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

NP certificationpatient careEHR (Epic)primary carepediatricmental healthtelehealth
Career Outlook
+38% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

NP roles growing 38% through 2034 — among fastest-growing US occupations. Full practice authority in 27 states drives demand.

Nurse Practitioner Salary Breakdown — Raleigh

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$99,750$134,915$183,750
Monthly$8,313$11,243$15,313
Weekly$1,918$2,595$3,534
Hourly$48$65$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($128,490) adjusted for Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Nurse Practitioner Take-Home Pay in Raleigh

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$96,800.228
Per month$8,067
Biweekly paycheck$3,723
Effective tax rate28.3%

Tax Breakdown on $134,915

Gross salary$134,915
Federal income tax−$21,722.6
North Carolina state tax−$6,071.175
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,320.998
Take-home (net)$96,800.228

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Nurse Practitioner Salary by Experience — Raleigh

Career-stage progression for Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$96,600
2–3 yr$105,000
4–6 yr$133,875
7–10 yr$162,750
11–15 yr$192,045
15+ yr$173,250

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Raleigh's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,442
2026 median:$134,915
Change:+$114,473

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth NP and Mental health (PMHNP).

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$133,579
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Nurse Practitioner Salary in Raleigh

Walk-away anchor: $122,650 (offers below this are below market for Raleigh).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $163K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Raleigh market data and your specific Telehealth NP/Mental health (PMHNP) expertise.

Nurse Practitioner Salary FAQ — Raleigh

What is the average Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh, NC?
The average Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh is $134,915 per year as of April 2026 — $11,243/month, $2,595/week, or about $65/hour. Salaries range from $99,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $134,915 a good Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Raleigh's cost-of-living index is 101 (vs 100 nationally), giving $134,915 a real purchasing power of approximately $133,579 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $134,915 in Raleigh?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Raleigh specifically (median home price $445,000), a $134,915 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $134,915 enough for a single person in Raleigh?
A single adult in Raleigh typically needs ~$45,450 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $134,915 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $134,915 enough for a couple in Raleigh?
A couple (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$72,720 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $134,915 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $134,915 each ($269,830 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $134,915 enough for a family of 4 in Raleigh?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$111,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $134,915 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Nurse Practitioner income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Raleigh typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Nurse Practitioner in Raleigh?
On a $134,915 Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh, NC, you take home approximately $96,800.228 per year ($8,067/month, $3,723 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $21,722.6, state $6,071.175, FICA $10,320.998. Effective tax rate: 28.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh earn compared to the US average?
Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($128,490 nationally vs $134,915 in Raleigh). However, Raleigh's cost-of-living index of 101 means real purchasing power is approximately $133,579 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Nurse Practitioner earn in Raleigh?
Entry-level Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh typically start at around $105,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Nurse Practitioners earn $162,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Nurse Practitioner salaries in Raleigh increase in 2026?
Yes — Nurse Practitioner salaries in Raleigh grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $20,442 in 2025 to $134,915 in 2026 (+$114,473). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth NP and Mental health (PMHNP) demand.
What's the job outlook for Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh?
NP roles growing 38% through 2034 — among fastest-growing US occupations. Full practice authority in 27 states drives demand. Raleigh's top industries include Tech (Research Triangle), Healthcare, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Nurse Practitioners in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Nurse Practitioners are: Telehealth NP, Mental health (PMHNP), Pediatric NP, Geriatric NP, Full practice authority states. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Raleigh.
Who are the top employers hiring Nurse Practitioners in Raleigh?
Top employers hiring Nurse Practitioners in or near Raleigh include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Veterans Health, Community health centers, Telehealth companies. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Nurse Practitioner salary in Raleigh?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth NP, Mental health (PMHNP), Pediatric NP) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NP certification (FNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.) or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Nurse Practitioner in Raleigh?
Master's or DNP is the typical path. However, Raleigh's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Nurse Practitioner salary figures for Raleigh are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($128,490) by Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Raleigh

Registered Nurse →Physician →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Dentist →

Nurse Practitioner Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$135KHouston, TX$135KPhiladelphia, PA$134KDallas, TX$135KFort Worth, TX$131KCharlotte, NC$131KSacramento, CA$139KAtlanta, GA$135K

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