Registered Nurse (RN) Salary in North Carolina

Estimated median pay is $79,500 per year, with a typical range of $59,000–$122,500 depending on experience, setting and shift differentials.

We apply North Carolina's registered-nurse wage index (its RN mean pay relative to the national RN mean) to the national median for this role. It's a modeled estimate, not state-specific BLS data broken out by role — use it as a starting point, not a guarantee.

North Carolina pays below the national average for nursing roles — its RN wage index is 92% of the national mean. Lower pay is often offset by lower cost of living.

No — this reflects staff/permanent employment estimates. Travel and per-diem rates run higher and include stipends; see our staffing pages for contract-specific pay.