Trauma Nurse salary in North Carolina
A trauma nurse in North Carolina earns an estimated $89,410 a year ($42.99/hr) — about 14% below the U.S. average, with most between $83,500 and $108,160. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Trauma Nurse — North Carolina
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$89,410
-14% vs nationalHourly
$42.99/hr
- Typical range
- $83,500–$108,160
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $116,830
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $71,720
- Newer nurses
Trauma Nurse pay by city in North Carolina
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $96,060 | $46.18 |
| Raleigh | $89,920 | $43.23 |
Trauma Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How North Carolina compares to states with similar trauma nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in North Carolina
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects trauma nurse pay in North Carolina
Pay below the national median; growing metros. For a trauma nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
Public wage data does not report Trauma Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in North Carolina (May 2025) and applies a 1.06× specialty adjustment.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. Treat it as a starting point — not an official North Carolina wage.
Source year: 2025. Based on the national figure of $103,400 for this role.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for North Carolina, based on national pay and local pay levels — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in North Carolina make this page more precise over time.
Trauma Nurse salary in North Carolina — FAQ
- How much does a trauma nurse make in North Carolina?
- A trauma nurse in North Carolina earns an estimated $89,410 a year — about $42.99 an hour, with most between $83,500 and $108,160. That's about 14% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and North Carolina's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is North Carolina a good state for trauma nurses?
- For pay, North Carolina sits about 14% below the national average for trauma nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $89,410 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in North Carolina pays trauma nurses the most?
- Among North Carolina metros we track, Charlotte tends to have the highest estimated pay for trauma nurses, at roughly $96,060 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does North Carolina trauma nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a trauma nurse is about $103,400 a year, versus an estimated $89,410 in North Carolina — about 14% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate (BLS state wage × specialty adjustment)
Public wage data does not report Trauma Nurse separately. This figure starts from the wage the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published for Registered Nurse in North Carolina (May 2025) and applies a 1.06× specialty adjustment.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national trauma nurse pay adjusted for North Carolina. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.