Nurse Practitioner Salary in North Carolina: $133,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $133,883/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $143,037 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chapel Hill ($133,406), Concord ($132,442), Winston-Salem ($132,419).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in North Carolina (NC) is projected to be $133,883, which is slightly below the national median of $136,864 by 2.2%. Salary ranges within the state differ significantly, with Chapel Hill at the highest end earning $138,009, while Rocky Mount has the lowest at $121,947, leading to a gap of $16,062. This disparity can largely be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. North Carolina has specific requirements for nurse practitioner licensing, including a master’s degree and board certification, while the scope of practice laws allow NPs to provide a range of healthcare services, albeit with some restrictions compared to other states. The job market for nurse practitioners in NC shows a promising outlook, with an anticipated growth rate of 3.45% annually, driven by an aging population and an increased focus on accessible healthcare. The top five cities for projected salaries in 2026 include Chapel Hill ($138,009), Concord ($137,011), Winston-Salem ($136,987), Durham ($136,864), and Greensboro ($136,792), reflecting the demand for these professionals across various urban areas in the state.
North Carolina Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $96,486 (lowest entry-level) to $187,941 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina nurse practitioners earn 2.18% less than the national median ($-2,981/year difference).
North Carolina Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in North Carolina range from $107,754 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,026 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $133,883. The North Carolina median is $2,981 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $64.37/hr. Approximately 8,944 nurse practitioners are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$104,104
2025 BLS Actual
$129,418
2026 Current Est.
$133,883
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,104 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,998 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 24.3% from $104,104 (2019) to $129,418 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,398 (33.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | $121,947 |
| Leland | $122,741 |
| Carrboro | $124,581 |
| Jacksonville | $124,864 |
| Indian Trail | $125,069 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $134,930 | 88.402 | $152,632 |
| Hickory | $130,988 | 88.486 | $148,032 |
| Chapel Hill | $138,009 | 93.6 | $147,446 |
| Greensboro | $136,792 | 92.865 | $147,302 |
| Winston | $135,354 | 92.043 | $147,055 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $107,754 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $133,883 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $170,026 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $138,009 |
| 2 | Concord | $137,011 |
| 3 | Winston-Salem | $136,987 |
| 4 | Durham | $136,864 |
| 5 | Greensboro | $136,792 |
| 6 | Burlington | $136,533 |
| 7 | Winston | $135,354 |
| 8 | Greenville | $134,930 |
| 9 | Charlotte | $134,806 |
| 10 | High Point | $134,686 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $133,594 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $133,384 |
| 13 | Apex | $133,071 |
| 14 | Raleigh | $132,571 |
| 15 | Asheville | $132,178 |
| 16 | Cary | $131,940 |
| 17 | Gastonia | $131,932 |
| 18 | Statesville | $131,079 |
| 19 | Hickory | $130,988 |
| 20 | Kernersville | $130,967 |
| 21 | Matthews | $130,659 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $130,433 |
| 23 | Sanford | $130,320 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $130,317 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $130,259 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $129,910 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $129,890 |
| 28 | Thomasville | $129,675 |
| 29 | New Bern | $129,623 |
| 30 | Mint Hill | $129,592 |
| 31 | Wilmington | $129,302 |
| 32 | Pinehurst | $128,816 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $127,540 |
| 34 | Goldsboro | $127,192 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $127,141 |
| 36 | Monroe | $127,089 |
| 37 | Garner | $126,803 |
| 38 | Wilson | $126,710 |
| 39 | Boone | $126,160 |
| 40 | Fayetteville | $125,599 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $125,069 |
| 42 | Jacksonville | $124,864 |
| 43 | Carrboro | $124,581 |
| 44 | Leland | $122,741 |
| 45 | Rocky Mount | $121,947 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in North Carolina?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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