Nurse Practitioner Salary in Apex, NC: $133,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Apex, NC earns a median $133,071/year (≈ $63.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $142,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse practitioners in Apex, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,071 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive local market, particularly when compared to the national median of $136,864, although it represents a slight decrease of 2.77% below the national average. The salary range in Apex spans from $100,695 at the 10th percentile to $170,188 at the 90th percentile, suggesting varying levels of compensation among professionals in the field. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that the outlook for nurse practitioner pay in Apex is influenced by the state's practice authority, which fully empowers NPs in their roles. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, the local job market remains robust, presenting ample opportunities for nurse practitioners.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,695 | $48.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,827 | $58.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,071 | $63.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,052 | $74.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,188 | $81.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,493 (2026 est.). At $133,071, the local median is 2.77% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Apex median: $133,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $132,146 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -2.77% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Apex, NC earn a median of $133,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $132,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $133,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,776
2025 BLS Actual
$128,633
2026 Current Est.
$133,071
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,585 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,963 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,633 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $106,776 (2019) to $128,633 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,886 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $100,695 – $121,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,827 – $133,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,071 – $155,052 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,052 – $170,188 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Apex
With 16 nurse practitioners currently practicing in Apex, the job market is relatively small but steady. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 93.6, suggests that take-home salaries may stretch further than in more expensive locales. When considering employment options, facilities such as hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics typically offer competitive wages, while independent primary care practices may vary widely in compensation structures. Several factors drive the salary spectrum; nurse practitioners focusing on high-demand specialties, like psychiatric mental health (PMHNP), often command higher salaries than those in general roles. Furthermore, the presence of productivity bonuses or opportunities for 1099 telehealth work can enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their nurse practitioner pay in Apex, pursuing additional certifications, negotiating employment contracts carefully, and exploring diverse practice settings could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $128,633 for nurse practitionersin the Apex metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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