Registered Nurse Salary in Raleigh, NC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living (index: 105). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Raleigh — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Raleigh
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Raleigh
Raleigh has a metro population of 1,540,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Raleigh
Other Professions in Raleigh
Registered Nurse Salary — Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Raleigh, NC?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Raleigh is $90,374 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Raleigh's cost of living index (105). The typical salary range runs from $72,335 (25th percentile) to $113,075 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $139,314.
Is Raleigh affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $90,374 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Raleigh would spend approximately 15.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,131/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Raleigh relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $380,000 is 4.2× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Raleigh's overall income?
Raleigh's median household income is $75,200. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $90,374 earns 20.2% more than the typical Raleigh household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.