What is the average RN salary in Raleigh?

The average RN salary in Raleigh is $85,177. This figure is 9% below the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600, and compared to the city-adjusted purchasing-power salary of $90,134 it indicates slightly reduced nominal pay but improved local buying power in Raleigh.

How many hospitals are in Raleigh?

Raleigh has 7 hospitals within the city limits. Top local employers include large acute-care and teaching hospitals such as WakeMed and UNC Health-affiliated facilities; the city metric lists seven hospitals total, supporting diverse inpatient services and specialty units.

What is the cost of living in Raleigh?

Raleigh's cost of living index is 94.5, which is below the U.S. average of 100. Housing costs in Raleigh are typically lower than national averages, and the provided adjusted salary of $90,134 demonstrates how $85,177 nominal RN pay converts to more local purchasing power in Raleigh.

Is Raleigh a good place for nurses?

Yes — Raleigh can be a good fit for many nurses due to seven hospitals and an adjusted salary of $90,134 that offsets the $85,177 nominal wage. Quality-of-life factors include a humid subtropical climate (71°F average high), about 249 sunny days, and a cost-of-living index of 94.5.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Raleigh?

The real purchasing power for Raleigh nurses is represented by the adjusted salary of $90,134 after applying the cost-of-living index of 94.5. Compared to the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600, Raleigh nurses effectively have a modestly improved local purchasing capacity despite nominal pay being $85,177.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Raleigh?

Yes, North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses with a multistate compact license can practice in Raleigh with full practice privileges. That multistate license enables mobility across NLC states without obtaining a separate North Carolina single-state license.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in Raleigh?

ICU, emergency department (ED), med-surgical, and labor & delivery (L&D) specialties are most in demand given Raleigh's mix of acute-care and teaching hospitals among seven local hospitals. Behavioral health nursing is also relevant where hospitals operate psychiatric units or dedicated behavioral services.

Nursing in Raleigh, NC

Practical guide to nursing in Raleigh, NC — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.