Registered Nurse Salary in Gastonia, NC: $93,397 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Gastonia, NC earns a median $93,397/year (≈ $44.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $99,783 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Gastonia, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $93,397, reflecting a competitive positioning against the national average of $102,730. Local earnings fall within a wide salary range from $66,800 at the 10th percentile to $129,891 at the 90th percentile, allowing for considerable variation influenced by experience, specialty, and shift differentials. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, which, in Gastonia, sit below the national average at a cost-of-living index of 93.6. This nuanced compensation framework highlights the advantages of night and weekend shifts, often resulting in higher effective pay for those willing to work less desirable hours in a market where demand for quality nursing care remains robust.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($79,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,800 | $32.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,879 | $36.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,397 | $44.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,159 | $51.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,891 | $62.45 |
Median Salary Position
9.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,091 (2026 est.). At $93,397, the local median is 9.08% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $93,397/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,206 | +7.10% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -9.08% less |
Registered Nurses in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $93,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.08% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.10% above the North Carolina state average of $87,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $93,397 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,783 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,641
2025 BLS Actual
$88,688
2026 Current Est.
$93,397
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,641 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,487 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,842 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,397 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,357 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $66,641 (2019) to $88,688 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,716 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,800 – $76,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,879 – $93,397 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,397 – $107,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,159 – $129,891 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Gastonia
The local job market for registered nurses in Gastonia features approximately 16 professionals currently employed, which offers a glimpse into the area's nursing landscape. The below-average cost of living enhances the take-home purchasing power for nurses, making the registered nurse salary in Gastonia favorable for those entering the workforce. Employers such as hospital systems and specialty centers are typically the highest payers, with critical roles in acute care, ICU, and the emergency department benefiting from added stipends for their demanding work environments. The disparity between entry-level and experienced nurses often hinges on factors like shift differentials ranging from $3 to $7 for nights and $3 to $5 for weekend shifts. Advanced certifications and positions such as charge nurses also contribute to higher wages. For those looking to enhance their earnings potential in this market, pursuing specialty certification or seeking opportunities in high-demand areas like travel nursing can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $88,688 for registered nursesin the Gastonia metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gastonia 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