Registered Nurse Salary in Winston, NC
Registered Nurses in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median $86,120 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,488 take-home, or $5,541 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Winston, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,116
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,339
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,249
- North Carolina income tax$2,927
- Take-home pay$66,488
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Winston, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,550 | $34.40 | $56,819 | $4,735 |
| 25th percentile | $78,820 | $37.89 | $61,644 | $5,137 |
| Median (50th) | $86,120 | $41.40 | $66,488 | $5,541 |
| 75th percentile | $103,600 | $49.81 | $78,088 | $6,507 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,490 | $50.72 | $79,342 | $6,612 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,120 buys in Winston, NC
Prices in Winston, NC are 8.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $66,488 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,236 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Winston, NC has 1.7× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Winston, NC ranks #181 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 181 | Winston, NC | $86,120 | $66,488 | $72,236 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Rocky Mount, NC — $82,300
- Goldsboro, NC — $82,740
- Greenville, NC — $81,670
- Pinehurst, NC — $81,520
- Charlotte, NC — $90,620
- Jacksonville, NC — $84,750
- Hickory, NC — $80,060
- Fayetteville, NC — $83,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Winston, NC?
The median registered nurse salary in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $86,120 a year, or about $41.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,820 and $103,600.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Winston, NC?
On the median $86,120 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $66,488 a year ($5,541 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,927 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 8.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,236 would in a typical U.S. city. Winston, NC ranks #181 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Winston, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Winston, NC is $1,031 a month ($1,164 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Winston, NC
- Nurse Anesthetist — $216,140
- Pharmacist — $135,710
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,840
- Physician Assistant — $130,730
- Physical Therapist — $101,270
- Dental Hygienist — $95,930
- Respiratory Therapist — $80,250
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $77,900
- Physicians, All Other — $74,700
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,970
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $62,960
- Medical Records Specialist — $62,590