SOC 29-1141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Registered Nurses — Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Wilmington, NC is $80,970 a year, trailing the national median of $97,550 by 17.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Wilmington, NC is $80,970 a year, trailing the national median of $97,550 by 17.0%. Half of workers earn between $79,540 and $103,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $67,510 and the ninetieth at $103,250.
The area has 5,040 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 26.4 of every thousand jobs. Charlotte leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $90,620. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 93rd of 413 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,510 | −30.8% |
| 25th | $79,540 | −18.5% |
| Median (50th) | $80,970 | −17.0% |
| 75th | $103,250 | +5.8% |
| 90th | $103,250 | +5.8% |
| Mean | $87,900 | −9.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $90,620 | 27,010 | |
| 2 | Winston-Salem | $86,120 | 10,180 | |
| 3 | Raleigh | $84,830 | 12,780 | |
| 4 | Jacksonville | $84,750 | 870 | |
| 5 | Burlington | $84,180 | 1,080 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $83,060 | 3,430 | |
| 7 | Greensboro | $82,860 | 6,240 | |
| 8 | Goldsboro | $82,740 | 950 | |
| 9 | Rocky Mount | $82,300 | 1,180 | |
| 10 | Greenville | $81,670 | 3,770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wilmington run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $80,970 goes as far as $85,864 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$80,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,864US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,970 a year, 17.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $67,510 to $103,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,040 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlotte, at $90,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Registered Nurses in Wilmington, NC?
The median annual wage is $80,970, or $38.93 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $97,550, so pay in Wilmington, NC is 17.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Wilmington, NC earns more than $103,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $67,510 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charlotte, at $90,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,040 jobs in this occupation in Wilmington, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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