Registered Nurse Salary in High Point, NC: $85,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in High Point, NC earns a median $85,916/year (≈ $41.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $91,791 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $85,916 in 2026, the registered nurse salary in High Point, NC, reflects a competitive figure when juxtaposed against the national median of $102,730, indicating a variance of approximately 16.37%. The salary range for nurses in this market spans from $61,128 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $126,336 at the 90th percentile (P90), showcasing the pay differential that can exist within nursing roles. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, pointing to a strategic workforce dynamic where local staffing needs can influence compensation levels. The distinction in pay between local staff nurses and their traveling counterparts often highlights how ancillary factors, including the urgency of staffing solutions in high-demand areas, play a critical role in salary determinations.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($79,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,128 | $29.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,628 | $33.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,916 | $41.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,005 | $49.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,336 | $60.74 |
Median Salary Position
16.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,208 (2026 est.). At $85,916, the local median is 16.37% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Registered Nurse Pay Compares
High Point median: $85,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,224 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.37% less |
Registered Nurses in High Point, NC earn a median of $85,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.37% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% below the North Carolina state average of $87,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $85,916 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,791 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,303
2025 BLS Actual
$81,584
2026 Current Est.
$85,916
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,001 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,983 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,533 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $61,303 (2019) to $81,584 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,175 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $61,128 – $70,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,628 – $85,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,916 – $102,005 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,005 – $126,336 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in High Point
In terms of job availability, High Point currently employs 23 registered nurses, a relatively modest number that may reflect the competitive nature of local healthcare markets. The cost-of-living index in High Point sits at 93.6, indicating a slightly lower living expense than the national average, which may enhance take-home purchasing power for RNs. Notably, employers that tend to offer higher compensation include local hospital systems, especially those with critical care units and specialty services, where shifts during nights or weekends often come with additional pay differentials ranging from $3 to $7 per hour. To maximize earnings, nurses in this region should consider pursuing certifications from organizations such as the AACN or ENA, which can yield higher pay scales and open opportunities in magnet-status facilities keen on attracting qualified BSN-prepared candidates. Furthermore, understanding the dynamics of shift differentials and specialty roles is paramount for effectively navigating compensation landscapes in High Point nursing jobs.
More salary data for High Point, 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
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 $81,584 for registered nursesin the High Point 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 High Point 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