Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Registered Nurse Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $87,300 ($41.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $70,000/year and the 90th was $114,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $67,271 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$87,300$41.97 per hour · $7,275 monthly
10th Percentile$70,000$33.65/hr base
25th Percentile$81,500$39.18/hr base
75th Percentile$105,600$50.77/hr base
90th Percentile$114,000$54.81/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$87,300
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$87,300
Net 77%
Fed 12%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,271After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,606Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,587Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,376 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,975 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,678 / yr

Registered Nurses Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Registered Nurses in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$33.65/hr$5,833$70,000$55,791
25th Percentile$39.18/hr$6,792$81,500$63,422
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$41.97/hr$7,275$87,300$67,271
75th Percentile$50.77/hr$8,800$105,600$79,415
90th Percentile$54.81/hr$9,500$114,000$84,989

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$87,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio104.6%of area median income

Compare registered nurses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurses Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $87,300, which equates to approximately $7,275 per month or $41.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $41.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $33.65/hour and one in ten earned more than $54.81/hour.

What is the pay range for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for registered nurses in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $70,000 at the 10th percentile to $81,500 at the 25th, $105,600 at the 75th, and $114,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do registered nurses take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $87,300, an estimated $67,271 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,587 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $20,029 (an effective rate of 22.9%).

How much do registered nurses make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $87,300, gross monthly income is $7,275. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,606 per month (or $2,587 every two weeks).

Is $87,300 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $87,300, the median salary for registered nurses is 104.6% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.