Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $41.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $41.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,046 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,229 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $41.85, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $49.39. This discrepancy reflects not just local economic conditions but also the specifics of the nursing market in this area. For those who work part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly pay becomes particularly relevant, as they could see an annual income that meets their lifestyle needs without committing to full-time schedules. Per-diem registered nurses, typical in various healthcare settings—from hospital floors to infusion centers—often command hourly rates that can fluctuate based on demand, skill, and specialty. The hourly pay for registered nurses in Chapel Hill ranges from $28.61 for entry-level positions to $60.80 for top earners, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($79,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.61 | $228.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.43 | $267.40 |
| Median (P50) | $41.85 | $334.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.87 | $382.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.80 | $486.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $41.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.85/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $87,048 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,220. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,674.01 | $7,254 | $87,048 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,004.40 | $4,352 | $52,229 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $669.60 | $2,902 | $34,819 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Chapel Hill) | $41.85 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $87,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.27% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $87,221.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.85/hr = $52,229/year (purchasing power: $55,800).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,048/year (purchasing power: $93,000).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Chapel Hill grew 33.1% from $29.86/hr (2019) to $39.74/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Chapel Hill
Looking at the earning potential for part-time registered nurses in Chapel Hill reveals an intriguing financial landscape. For instance, a nurse working 24 hours a week could bring home around $52,000 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. The rise of per-diem opportunities offers flexibility and higher rates, with many RNs billing between $50 and $80 per hour depending on their specific skills and the settings in which they work. Particularly lucrative are travel nursing contracts, which can range from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, especially during staffing shortages in critical areas like ICUs. In Chapel Hill, hourly rates also depend on employer type; nurses employed by acute care hospital systems may experience different compensation structures compared to those in outpatient clinics or home health agencies. While some may opt for lower hourly rates to obtain benefits, others might prioritize higher pay without health insurance, reflecting individual priorities in this essential profession. For registered nurses considering job offers, it's wise to negotiate effectively, understanding the balance between hourly pay and benefits to make informed career decisions in the evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Chapel Hill in 2026?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov