According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state’s healthcare sector remains the largest industry by employment and is projected to also be the fastest and highest growing through 2026 with the addition of 93,000 new jobs.
It’s no wonder, then, that a number of advanced nursing professionals—many of whom often hold the esteemed Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), the highest clinical education available to nurses—landed a spot on the Department of Commerce’s Star Jobs for 2019. For example, nurse practitioners, nursing instructors, and nurse anesthetists were all included among the star jobs available with an advanced degree.
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The Department of Commerce revealed that a number of advanced nursing professions will enjoy exceptional growth between 2016 and 2026:
- Nurse practitioners: 35.8%
- Nurse-midwives: 17.6%
- Nurse anesthetists: 16.1%
- Nurse administrators: 19.3%
- Nursing instructors: 23.3%
Statewide Salary Data for DNP-Educated APRNs and More in North Carolina
DNP-educated nurses in all their various roles are consistently recognized for earning top salaries (North Carolina Department of Commerce, 2018):
- Nurse Administrators and Executives: $129,820-$183,500
- Nurse Practitioners: $118,420-$130,190
- Nurse Midwives: $119,430-$136,530
- Nurse Anesthetists: $198,500+
- Nurse Educators: $79,430-$101,590
Salaries for DNP Nurses in North Carolina’s Major Cities
The North Carolina Department of Commerce provides salary information for DNP-educated advanced nursing professionals in the state’s most populated cities (2018):
Nurse Administrators and Executives:
- Asheville: $128,580-$179,910
- Charlotte: $133,010-$205,220
- Durham-Chapel Hill: $144,390-$193,280
- Fayetteville: $128,800-$153,640
- Greensboro-High Point: $135,500-$178,950
Nurse Educators:
- Asheville: $78,660-$82,160
- Fayetteville: $80,900-$94,200
- Greensboro-High Point: $79,120-$117,540
- Raleigh: $78,940-$82,930
Nurse Practitioners:
- Asheville: $117,320-130,610
- Charlotte: $117,210-$128,340
- Durham-Chapel Hill: $119,270-129,910
- Fayetteville: $117,240-$128,550
- Greensboro-High Point: $119,940-$131,300
- Raleigh: $118,820-$128,970
Nurse Anesthetists:
- Asheville: $160,960-$182,130
- Raleigh: $182,640-$204,370
Nurse-Midwives:
- Charlotte: $128,340-$192,440
An Overview of Hourly Wages for North Carolina’s DNP-Educated Nurses
A 2019 Medscape Compensation Report found that 78% of APRNs are paid overtime for their work. It is often beneficial to consider hourly wages for DNP nurses because overtime for these professionals can account for a significant portion of their annual income.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce provides hourly wages for DPN-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse Anesthetists: $95.44+
- Nurse Practitioners: $56.93-$62.59
- Nurse-Midwives: $57.42-$65.64
- Nurse Administrators: $62.42-$88.22
Salary and employment data compiled by the North Carolina Department of Commerce in May of 2018 – (https://nccareers.org/). Salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than master’s-prepared nurses in the same roles.