Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Registered Nurse Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $79,100 ($38.03/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $63,500/year and the 90th was $103,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $61,829 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$79,100$38.03 per hour · $6,592 monthly
10th Percentile$63,500$30.53/hr base
25th Percentile$73,900$35.53/hr base
75th Percentile$95,700$46.01/hr base
90th Percentile$103,400$49.71/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

$79,100
$30,000$160,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$79,100
Net 78%
Fed 11%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$61,829After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,152Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,378Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,572 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,647 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,051 / yr

Registered Nurses Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$30.53/hr$5,292$63,500$51,177
25th Percentile$35.53/hr$6,158$73,900$58,379
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$38.03/hr$6,592$79,100$61,829
75th Percentile$46.01/hr$7,975$95,700$72,845
90th Percentile$49.71/hr$8,617$103,400$77,955

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$79,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio126%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurses Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $79,100, which equates to approximately $6,592 per month or $38.03 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $38.03 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $30.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $49.71/hour.

What is the pay range for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for registered nurses in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $63,500 at the 10th percentile to $73,900 at the 25th, $95,700 at the 75th, and $103,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do registered nurses take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $79,100, an estimated $61,829 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,378 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $17,271 (an effective rate of 21.8%).

How much do registered nurses make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $79,100, gross monthly income is $6,592. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,152 per month (or $2,378 every two weeks).

Is $79,100 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $79,100, the median salary for registered nurses is 126% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.