Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $62.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Wilmington, NC runs $62.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,302 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,580 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the nurse practitioner hourly pay is projected to reach $62.16 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $65.80. This difference may reflect the local cost of living index, which is below the national average at 96.422. For part-time workers, particularly those operating three days a week, this hourly rate provides a viable income while allowing for flexible work-life balance, especially in practice settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care facilities, and telehealth platforms. Entry-level NPs can expect to earn around $49.74 per hour, while experienced practitioners may command rates as high as $78.61. This range allows for diverse opportunities across various healthcare specialties in Wilmington.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.74 | $397.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.61 | $412.89 |
| Median (P50) | $62.16 | $497.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.20 | $537.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.61 | $628.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $62.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.16/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $129,299 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,596. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,486.52 | $10,775 | $129,299 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,491.91 | $6,465 | $77,580 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $994.61 | $4,310 | $51,720 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Wilmington) | $62.16 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $129,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.20% below the North Carolina state average of $132,211.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.16/hr = $77,580/year (purchasing power: $80,458).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,299/year (purchasing power: $134,097).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Wilmington grew 10.7% from $54.26/hr (2019) to $60.09/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Wilmington
The earning potential for a nurse practitioner working part-time—such as 24 hours a week—will translate to a different annual income compared to full-time employment despite the attractive hourly rate. For example, such part-time NPs may take home approximately $77,265, which contrasts with full-time salaries. In the realm of per diem nurse practitioner pay in Wilmington, locum tenens positions can pay anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour, particularly for specialized practices, with telehealth PMHNPs often fetching rates between $150 to $200. Hourly variations do exist across employer types; NPs in hospital outpatient clinics or independent practices typically earn different rates compared to those in urgent care facilities or retail clinics like CVS. Some practitioners opt for higher hourly positions without benefits, while others may accept lower pay for the security of health insurance. When negotiating hourly offers, NPs should emphasize their clinical experience and consider the full benefit package to find the right fit for their professional and personal needs.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse practitioners make in Wilmington?
Are nurse practitioners in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse practitioner make per year in Wilmington?
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Wilmington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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