Registered Nurse Salary Guide: North Carolina
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$48.95/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in North Carolina is $48.95 per hour. This is 1% higher than the US average of $48.30.
Last updated on October 26, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Registered Nurse salaries in North Carolina compared to National Averages
$48.95/hour
North Carolina
1% higher than the US average.
$48.30/hour
United States
What cities in North Carolina pay the most for Registered Nurses?
Burlington, North Carolina pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $100 per hour, followed by Waynesville, North Carolina ($58) and Asheville, North Carolina ($52). For comparison, the North Carolina average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Burlington, North Carolina pays 104% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington, North Carolina | $100 | $100 |
| Waynesville, North Carolina | $58 | $58 |
| Asheville, North Carolina | $52 | $58 |
| Morganton, North Carolina | $47 | $58 |
| Raleigh, North Carolina | $46 | $51 |
| Winston-Salem, North Carolina | $44 | $44 |
| Hickory, North Carolina | $42 | $58 |
| Brevard, North Carolina | $41 | $58 |
| Fayetteville, North Carolina | $35 | $46 |
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in North Carolina?
Clinic and MICU - Medical Intensive Care Unit earn the most among Nursing specialties in North Carolina, both averaging $58 per hour, ahead of Ambulatory Care ($56). For comparison, the North Carolina average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Clinic and MICU - Medical Intensive Care Unit earn 18% more.
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic | $58 | $58 |
| MICU - Medical Intensive Care Unit | $58 | $58 |
| Ambulatory Care | $56 | $58 |
| Gastroenterology | $56 | $58 |
| Endoscopy | $56 | $58 |
| GI Lab | $56 | $58 |
| Pediatrics | $56 | $58 |
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in North Carolina compare to nearby states?
Maryland pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $54 per hour, followed by Virginia ($53) and Pennsylvania ($51). District of Columbia has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $64. For comparison, the North Carolina average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Maryland pays 11% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $54 | $60 |
| Virginia | $53 | $62 |
| Pennsylvania | $51 | $55 |
| Georgia | $48 | $53 |
| Ohio | $46 | $51 |
| District of Columbia | $46 | $64 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $46 |
| West Virginia | $42 | $47 |
| South Carolina | $39 | $46 |
| Tennessee | $39 | $40 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in North Carolina?
Patterns Hiring - Perm pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $48 per hour, followed by Perm Staff Jobs ($46) and CoreMedical Group Perm ($42). Perm Staff Jobs has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $58. For comparison, the North Carolina average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Patterns Hiring - Perm pays 3% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns Hiring - Perm | $48 | $48 |
| Perm Staff Jobs | $46 | $58 |
| CoreMedical Group Perm | $42 | $48 |
| Bluebird Staffing | $41 | $41 |
| BAYADA Home Health Care | $40 | $40 |
Last updated on October 26, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
Director Registered Nurse (RN) - ED - Emergency Department
- CoreMedical Group Perm
- Clinton, NC
- 5x8 hrs
$105K-135K/year
approximately $50-65/hrRegistered Nurse (RN) - Rehabilitation
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Mill
- Charlotte, NC
$58+/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Educator
- Mission Hospital
- Waynesville, NC
$58+/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Mission Hospital
- Waynesville, NC
$58+/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, Behavioral Health
- Mission Hospital
- Waynesville, NC
$58+/hour
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