Nurse Practitioner Pay

Carrboro vs Winston: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Carrboro, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrboro, NC
$124,581
$59.90/hr
Winston, NC
$135,354
$65.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrboro, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$124,581$135,354
Hourly Rate$59.90$65.07
Entry Level (P10)$96,726$108,747
25th Percentile$118,254$121,047
75th Percentile$141,317$165,727
Top Earner (P90)$150,707$167,092
Total Employed6750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrboro ($124,581) and Winston ($135,354) nurse practitioner salaries.CarrboroWinstonMedian Salary$124,581$135,354Entry Level (P10)$96,726$108,747Top Earner (P90)$150,707$167,092US Median $136,864

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrboro.

The salary gap between Carrboro and Winston is $10,773 (8.65%). Winston's median is -1.10% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrboro spans $53,981,Winston spans $58,345. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Carrboro
P10 (Entry)$96,726
P25$118,254
Median$124,581
P75$141,317
P90 (Top)$150,707
Winston
P10 (Entry)$108,747
P25$121,047
Median$135,354
P75$165,727
P90 (Top)$167,092

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($147,055 effective) pays 10.49% more than Carrboro ($133,099 effective).

Carrboro
Nominal: $124,581
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $133,099
Winston
Nominal: $135,354
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $147,055

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrboro if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,354/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($167,092)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,055)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Carrboro grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.2% growth in Winston over the same period.

Carrboro, NC

+11.9%

$107,628 (2024) → $120,426 (2025)

Winston, NC

+25.2%

$104,500 (2019) → $130,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Carrboro or Winston?

Winston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $135,354/year, compared to Carrboro at $124,581/year — a difference of $10,773 (8.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrboro and Winston?

Carrboro nurse practitioners earn $59.90/hr while Winston hygienists earn $65.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrboro to Winston as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrboro and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrboro = $133,099, Winston = $147,055), job availability (6 vs 750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Carrboro vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $96,726 in Carrboro and $108,747 in Winston. The Winston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov