Raleigh-Cary, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Registered Nurse Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC

In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan area, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $87,800 ($42.21/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $70,400/year and the 90th was $114,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $67,603 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 98.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$87,800$42.21 per hour · $7,317 monthly
10th Percentile$70,400$33.85/hr base
25th Percentile$82,000$39.42/hr base
75th Percentile$106,200$51.06/hr base
90th Percentile$114,700$55.14/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

$87,800
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$87,800
Net 77%
Fed 12%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,603After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,634Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,600Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,486 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,995 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,717 / yr

Registered Nurses Wage Percentiles in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$33.85/hr$5,867$70,400$56,056
25th Percentile$39.42/hr$6,833$82,000$63,754
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$42.21/hr$7,317$87,800$67,603
75th Percentile$51.06/hr$8,850$106,200$79,813
90th Percentile$55.14/hr$9,558$114,700$85,454

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Raleigh-Cary, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$87,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$100,103Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index98.21.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio87.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurses Pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC

What is the median salary for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $87,800, which equates to approximately $7,317 per month or $42.21 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

The median hourly wage for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $42.21 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $33.85/hour and one in ten earned more than $55.14/hour.

What is the pay range for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

BLS wage estimates for registered nurses in Raleigh-Cary, NC span from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 25th, $106,200 at the 75th, and $114,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do registered nurses take home after taxes in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On a median gross salary of $87,800, an estimated $67,603 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,600 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $20,197 (an effective rate of 23%).

How much do registered nurses make per month in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

On the median annual salary of $87,800, gross monthly income is $7,317. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $5,634 per month (or $2,600 every two weeks).

Is $87,800 a good salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

At $87,800, the median salary for registered nurses is 87.7% of the Raleigh-Cary, NC median household income ($100,103). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 98.2, making regional consumer goods and services 1.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.