Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $62.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Hickory, NC runs $62.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,988 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,587 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioners in Hickory, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $62.97 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $65.80. This compensation structure reflects the earnings of NPs working in various settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care facilities, retail clinics, and telehealth services. For part-time workers—those typically on a schedule of three days a week—this hourly rate translates into a consistent income, making it practical for individuals seeking flexible arrangements. The hourly range for NPs in Hickory varies significantly, from an entry-level $49.32 to a high of $78.62 for top earners, providing ample opportunity for growth and financial security. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.32 | $394.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.91 | $431.26 |
| Median (P50) | $62.97 | $503.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.29 | $538.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.62 | $628.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $62.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.97/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $130,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,564. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,518.80 | $10,915 | $130,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,511.28 | $6,549 | $78,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,007.52 | $4,366 | $52,391 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Hickory) | $62.97 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $130,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.29% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $132,178.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.97/hr = $78,587/year (purchasing power: $88,812).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,978/year (purchasing power: $148,021).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Hickory grew 26.1% from $48.29/hr (2019) to $60.87/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.14/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
Delving deeper into the earning potential for nurse practitioners working part-time in Hickory, a 24-hour work week can lead to an annual take-home substantially less than that of full-time colleagues, which might leave many contemplating their professional options. Per diem arrangements are quite common, with rates varying; while locum NPs often bill between $80-$140 per hour depending on their specialties, mental health nurse practitioners in telehealth settings might command even higher fees of $150-$200 for asynchronous medication management. Hourly rates differ by employer type—ranging from hospital outpatient clinics to retail clinics like CVS MinuteClinic and Walgreens. Nurse practitioners must weigh the benefits of consistent hourly pay against potential trade-offs, such as job stability versus higher pay without health benefits. Negotiating for an hourly rate can be complex; understanding the local compensation norms and articulating unique skills rooted in certification or specialty expertise can provide leverage in these discussions.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Hickory in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse practitioners make in Hickory?
Are nurse practitioners in Hickory paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse practitioner make per year in Hickory?
Do nurse practitioners earn more per hour working part-time in Hickory?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Hickory. 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