Registered Nurse Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $90,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $90,370/year (≈ $43.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $96,549 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For registered nurses in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary in 2026 stands at $90,370, reflecting a competitive wage within the healthcare sector. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $102,730, placing local registered nurse pay in Winston-Salem NC approximately 12.03% below the national average. The salary range for RNs showcases considerable variance, with the lowest ten percent earning approximately $58,549 and the highest ten percent reaching $131,404. These estimates originate from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing factors and expected economic growth, which is projected at 5.31% annually. This salary landscape highlights Winston-Salem's specific job market dynamics, underscoring the premium that specialty certifications, such as those from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), can add to base compensation.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($79,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,549 | $28.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,215 | $33.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,704 | $50.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,404 | $63.18 |
Median Salary Position
12.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,855 (2026 est.). At $90,370, the local median is 12.03% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $90,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,229 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -12.03% less |
Registered Nurses in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $90,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.03% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $87,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $90,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,549 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,481
2025 BLS Actual
$85,813
2026 Current Est.
$90,370
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,263 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $64,481 (2019) to $85,813 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,687 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $58,549 – $70,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,215 – $90,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,370 – $105,704 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,704 – $131,404 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Winston-Salem
Looking at the local employment context, Winston-Salem has around 59 registered nurses employed, suggesting an intimate job market that can be both competitive and cooperative. With a cost of living index of 93.6, RNs can enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, which contributes positively to their purchasing power. While larger hospital systems and specialty centers often provide higher salary brackets, other employers such as ambulatory clinics and home health agencies also play significant roles. The spread in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including shift differentials where nights and weekends can boost hourly pay by $3 to $7. Additionally, incentives linked to specialty certifications and hospital magnet status enhance earning potential. RNs aiming to maximize their registered nurse salary in Winston-Salem should consider such aspects, including pursuing specialized certifications and seeking positions in high-demand areas like emergency and critical care nursing, which tend to offer more generous compensation packages.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 $85,813 for registered nursesin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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