Nurse Practitioner Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nurse Practitioners in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$128,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $132,300
State Rank
#38 of 51
9,800 employed here

How much does a Nurse Practitioner make in North Carolina?

A Nurse Practitioner working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $128,990 per year, or about $62.01 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $132,300 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $103,530 while the top 10% make $164,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $114,260 and $142,180 a year.

Nurse Practitioner salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$103,530$49.77
25th percentile (early career)$114,260$54.93
50th percentile (median)$128,990$62.01
75th percentile (experienced)$142,180$68.36
90th percentile (top earners)$164,320$79.00

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Nurse Practitioner pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$168,520
2New Jersey$159,310
3Washington$156,100
4Oregon$155,680
5Alaska$155,170

Working as a Nurse Practitioner in North Carolina

Nationally, about 323,000 people work as Nurse Practitioners in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($128,990) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nurse Practitioner make in North Carolina?
The median Nurse Practitioner salary in North Carolina is $128,990 per year, or about $62.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $103,530 at the entry level to $164,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Nurse Practitioners about 3% less than the national median of $132,300. North Carolina ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Nurse Practitioners?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $128,990 a year. About 9,800 Nurse Practitioners are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nurse Practitioner salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.