Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $65.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Durham, NC runs $65.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,864 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,124 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The nurse practitioner hourly pay in Durham, North Carolina, is projected to be $65.80 in 2026, aligning precisely with the national hourly median. This competitive rate allows nurse practitioners in various settings—including primary care clinics, hospital outpatient centers, urgent care facilities, retail clinics, and telehealth platforms—to earn a substantial income, even on a part-time or per-diem basis. For instance, those working three days a week in environments like psychiatric medication management offices or telehealth services can find their earnings influenced by both their level of experience and the specific demand for their services. Entry-level nurse practitioners may start around $53.81 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $83.09, showcasing a significant range within the Durham market as per the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.81 | $430.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.66 | $493.25 |
| Median (P50) | $65.80 | $526.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.19 | $585.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.09 | $664.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $65.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.80/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $136,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,965. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,632.18 | $11,406 | $136,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,579.31 | $6,844 | $82,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.87 | $4,562 | $54,749 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Durham) | $65.80 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Durham, NC earn a median of $136,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.00% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 3.50% above the North Carolina state average of $132,236.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.80/hr = $82,124/year (purchasing power: $84,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,873/year (purchasing power: $140,279).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Durham grew 25.0% from $50.88/hr (2019) to $63.61/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Durham
Shifting to the dynamics of work schedules and employer types, a nurse practitioner working a part-time schedule of 24 hours a week could take home around $82,368 annually. This figure starkly contrasts with what full-time practitioners earn, reflecting the earning potential across different work models. Locum tenens opportunities also present lucrative prospects, with per diem nurse practitioner pay in Durham potentially reaching between $80 and $140 per hour, especially when specialized skills are involved. Telehealth PMHNPs may command even higher rates, sometimes hitting $150 to $200 per hour due to the pressing demand for mental health services. Additionally, hourly rates can vary widely depending on whether one is employed by a hospital, a private practice, or pursuing independent contracting. This variability leads many nurse practitioners to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates that include health insurance coverage. For those negotiating contracts, understanding the local market and emphasizing qualifications, especially in a state with full-practice authority, can provide an edge in successful discussions.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Durham in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse practitioners make in Durham?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Durham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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