2026 Salary — North Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Physician Salary in North Carolina: $222K Median
Physicians in North Carolina earn between $170K and $388K per year.
That's -3% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in North Carolina is $222,421 per year — -3% below the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $169,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $388,000 (90th percentile). North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$222,421
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$194,000
Experienced
$339,500
Top 10%
$388,000
About Physicians in North Carolina
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency
ATS Keywords
MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in North Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $202,201.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Physician Salary FAQ — North Carolina
What is the average Physician salary in North Carolina?
The average Physician salary in North Carolina is $222,421 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $169,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $388,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Physician pay in North Carolina compare to the US average?
Physicians in North Carolina earn approximately 3% less than the US national median ($229,300 nationally vs $222,421 in North Carolina). North Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Physician salaries in North Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in North Carolina grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $33,700 in 2025 to $222,421 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
Which North Carolina cities pay Physicians the most?
Top-paying North Carolina metros for Physicians: Charlotte ($234K), Raleigh ($241K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in North Carolina?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. North Carolina's top industries include Finance/Banking, Tech (Research Triangle), Pharmaceuticals, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does North Carolina have state income tax?
Yes, North Carolina has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $222,421, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with North Carolina employers.
How can I increase my Physician salary in North Carolina?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for North Carolina: $202,201.
Methodology
North Carolina Physician salary is the BLS national median ($229,300) adjusted by North Carolina's state multiplier (0.97×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physician Salary in Other States
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