Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Wilson, NC: $40.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Wilson, NC runs $40.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,590 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Wilson's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,152 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilson, North Carolina, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $40.19 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49.39. This discrepancy can impact part-time and per diem nurses who often work across a variety of demanding environments such as hospital floors, emergency departments, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics. For RNs working three days a week, the hourly wage equates to less than what many full-time positions offer. When considering the full scope of potential hourly earnings, Wilson's registered nurses can expect to see pay ranging from $30.31 for entry-level positions to around $54.96 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These estimates are derived from annual salary projections, which suggest a competitive yet varied landscape for nursing professionals in the area.
About the Wilson 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) | $30.31 | $242.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.06 | $272.46 |
| Median (P50) | $40.19 | $321.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.77 | $374.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.96 | $439.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilson
Based on $40.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.19/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilson, NC can expect to earn approximately $83,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,224. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,607.45 | $6,966 | $83,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $964.47 | $4,179 | $50,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $642.98 | $2,786 | $33,435 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Wilson) | $40.19 |
| 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 Wilson, NC earn a median of $83,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.63% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $87,164.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.19/hr = $50,152/year (purchasing power: $53,582).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,587/year (purchasing power: $89,303).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Wilson grew 33.1% from $28.67/hr (2019) to $38.16/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.32/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 Wilson 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 Wilson
When weighing the financial benefits of part-time versus full-time positions, registered nurses working 24 hours a week in Wilson can take home approximately $50,000 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. This makes the per diem path increasingly appealing, especially since per diem registered nurse pay in Wilson often falls between $50 and $80 per hour, contingent upon specialty. Travel nursing contracts can amplify this pay, offering weekly compensation ranging from $2,000 to $4,500, with crisis rates reaching as high as $5,000 to $8,000 in critical shortage markets. In Wilson, RNs may also find that hourly rates differ across employer types, reflecting the nuances of specialties and institutional resources. While many RNs may choose lower hourly wages for benefits, this decision can be strategic, especially amid the current demand for nurses. Negotiating for better pay requires an understanding of these local dynamics to foster an equitable work environment.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 Wilson. 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 Wilson 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