2026 Salary — North Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in North Carolina: $83K Median
Registered Nurses in North Carolina earn between $62K and $129K per year.
That's -3% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina is $83,488 per year — -3% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $61,808 (entry, 25th percentile) to $128,700 (90th percentile). North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$83,488
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$63,050
Experienced
$101,850
Top 10%
$128,700
About Registered Nurses in North Carolina
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in North Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $75,898.
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
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — North Carolina
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina?
The average Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina is $83,488 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $61,808 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $128,700 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in North Carolina compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in North Carolina earn approximately 3% less than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $83,488 in North Carolina). North Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in North Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in North Carolina grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,650 in 2025 to $83,488 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which North Carolina cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying North Carolina metros for Registered Nurses: Charlotte ($88K), Raleigh ($90K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in North Carolina?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. 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 $83,488, 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 Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. 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 Registered Nurse 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: $75,898.
Methodology
North Carolina Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by North Carolina's state multiplier (0.97×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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