Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $41.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Kernersville, NC runs $41.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,835 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the registered nurse hourly pay in Kernersville, North Carolina, is projected at $41.53, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This median rate indicates diverse earning opportunities for RNs, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. A part-time RN working three days a week would earn approximately $1,328 weekly before taxes based on this hourly figure. In Kernersville, entry-level positions can start at around $30.18 per hour, while top earners in specialized fields can reach up to $57.03. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the local demand for nursing professionals across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health environments.
About the Kernersville 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) | $30.18 | $241.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.35 | $274.82 |
| Median (P50) | $41.53 | $332.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.45 | $379.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.03 | $456.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $41.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.53/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $86,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,841. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,661.37 | $7,199 | $86,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $996.82 | $4,320 | $51,835 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $664.55 | $2,880 | $34,557 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Kernersville) | $41.53 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $86,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.90% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $87,182.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.53/hr = $51,835/year (purchasing power: $55,379).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,391/year (purchasing power: $92,298).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Kernersville grew 33.1% from $29.64/hr (2019) to $39.44/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.74/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
The earning potential for registered nurses in Kernersville can vary widely depending on their employment settings and choices. For example, a part-time nurse working 24 hours weekly may take home about $69,056 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time RNs who have more stable incomes. Per diem registered nurse pay in Kernersville typically ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, offering flexibility and often higher compensation for those willing to work in high-demand areas or specialties. The local job market reflects variations across employer types; while hospital systems may provide benefits with a potentially lower hourly rate, specialty centers or travel nursing agencies might offer higher pay without health insurance. Understanding these dynamics allows RNs to negotiate effectively, balancing hourly wages against the benefits of different working arrangements in the growing healthcare sector of Kernersville.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Kernersville. 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 Kernersville 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