Registered Nurse salary in Charlotte, NC
Median pay, Charlotte metro
$90,620/year
about $43.57 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $81,160 – $103,660
Half of registered nurses in the Charlotte metro area earn more than $90,620 a year and half earn less. That's 7% lower than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #25 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $69,680 | $33.50 |
| 25th | $81,160 | $39.02 |
| Median (50th) | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| 75th | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| 90th (top earners) | $110,020 | $52.89 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Charlotte metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $81,160 ($39.02/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $81,160 to $103,660 ($39.02 to $49.84/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $103,660 ($49.84/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Charlotte metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.