Registered Nurse salary in North Carolina
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A registered nurse in North Carolina earns a median of $84,350 a year ($40.55/hour equivalent), 13.5% below the national median of $97,550. North Carolina ranks #33 of 51 states. About 111,120 people do this job in North Carolina.
Take-home pay in North Carolina
At the North Carolina median, a single filer keeps about $65,313 a year after federal, FICA and North Carolina taxes — $2,512 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the North Carolina paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $3,244.23
- Federal income tax
- −$374.12
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$201.14
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$47.04
- North Carolina income tax
- −$109.88
- Take-home pay
- $2,512.05
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $84,350
- Federal
- $9,727
- FICA
- $6,453
- State + local
- $2,857
- Net
- $65,313
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How North Carolina compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $140,270 |
| #2 | Hawaii | $136,320 |
| #3 | Oregon | $129,010 |
| #4 | Washington | $124,200 |
| #5 | Alaska | $109,480 |
| #33 | North Carolina | $84,350 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $78,060 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $77,090 |
| #51 | Alabama | $77,080 |
See the national registered nurse salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in North Carolina?
The median salary is $84,350 a year and the average is $90,470 (BLS May 2025).
Is North Carolina a good state for registered nurses?
North Carolina ranks #33 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 14% below the national median of $97,550.
What is $84,350 after taxes in North Carolina?
About $65,313 a year ($2,512 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.