Nurse Practitioner Pay

Boone vs Raleigh: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Boone, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boone, NC
$126,160
$60.65/hr
Raleigh, NC
$132,571
$63.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoone, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$126,160$132,571
Hourly Rate$60.65$63.74
Entry Level (P10)$101,097$106,760
25th Percentile$113,933$117,592
75th Percentile$142,380$152,899
Top Earner (P90)$150,986$176,403
Total Employed61,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boone ($126,160) and Raleigh ($132,571) nurse practitioner salaries.BooneRaleighMedian Salary$126,160$132,571Entry Level (P10)$101,097$106,760Top Earner (P90)$150,986$176,403US Median $136,864

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boone.

The salary gap between Boone and Raleigh is $6,411 (5.08%). Raleigh's median is -3.14% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boone spans $49,889,Raleigh spans $69,643. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Boone
P10 (Entry)$101,097
P25$113,933
Median$126,160
P75$142,380
P90 (Top)$150,986
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$106,760
P25$117,592
Median$132,571
P75$152,899
P90 (Top)$176,403

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($135,060 effective) pays 0.20% more than Boone ($134,786 effective).

Boone
Nominal: $126,160
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $134,786
Raleigh
Nominal: $132,571
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $135,060

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boone if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,571/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($176,403)
  • Larger job market (1,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,060)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Boone grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Boone, NC

+11.9%

$108,994 (2024) → $121,953 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+17.6%

$108,970 (2019) → $128,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Boone or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $132,571/year, compared to Boone at $126,160/year — a difference of $6,411 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boone and Raleigh?

Boone nurse practitioners earn $60.65/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $63.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boone to Raleigh as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boone and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boone = $134,786, Raleigh = $135,060), job availability (6 vs 1,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Boone vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $101,097 in Boone and $106,760 in Raleigh. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov