Sponsored School(s)
According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2014 registered nurses holding BSN degrees earned $60,030, while MSN-educated nurses in advanced practice roles earned as much as $90,000 more on average:
- Nurse anesthetists: $155,380
- Nurse midwives: $89,100
- Nurse practitioners: $96,020
In that same year, North Carolina became nationally recognized as a high-paying state for MSN-educated nurses. For example:
- The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area was the fifth highest paying metropolitan area for nurse anesthetists in the country. The 70 nurse anesthetists practicing here earned $223,610 annually.
- The Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan area was the fifth highest paying nonmetropolitan area for nurse anesthetists in the country. The 90 nurse anesthetists employed here collected $197,150 annually.
- The Western Central nonmetropolitan area was the fourth highest paying nonmetropolitan area for nurse practitioners in the country. The 180 working here received $116,490 annually.
The Pay Benefits for Experienced MSN-Educated Nurses in North Carolina
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has stressed the need for MSN-educated nurses to gain experience in settings outside of hospitals, encouraging them to complete clinical experiences in community-based sites, private homes, and clinics.
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor released the following pay statistics to illustrate how experience affects salaries for MSN-educated nurses in North Carolina:
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary
- Entry-level: $43,700
- Mid-career: $60,100
- Experienced: $89,900
Nurse Anesthetist
- Entry-level: $108,700
- Mid-career: $148,500
- Experienced: $187,200+
Nurse Midwife
- Entry-level: $69,000
- Mid-career: $88,700
- Experienced: $114,800
Nurse Practitioner
- Entry-level: $70,900
- Mid-career: $92,600
- Experienced: $123,600
An Analysis of Nurse-Anesthetist Salaries in North Carolina
Nurse anesthetists are the highest paid MSN-educated nurses in North Carolina. Even further, in 2014 the United States Department of Labor reported that North Carolina’s nonmetropolitan districts were among the highest paying places in the state for nurse anesthetists:
*These salaries are equal to or greater than $90 an hour or $187,199 a year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary data higher than these values.
An Analysis of Nurse-Midwife Salaries in North Carolina
The Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill is the largest metropolitan area in North Carolina, which also makes the region a major employer for nurse midwives in the state. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor found this urban epicenter paid nurse midwives $68,340 annually. Additional salary details for this area are follows:
An Analysis of Nurse Practitioner Salaries in North Carolina
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that Goldsboro, Jacksonville, and the Northeastern nonmetropolitan area were among the highest-paying communities for nurse practitioners in North Carolina. Nurse practitioners that landed positions here were offered over $100,000 annually:
*These salaries are equal to or greater than $90 an hour or $187,199 a year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary data higher than these values.