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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Nurse in North Carolina is $110,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, a Lead Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,790 | $10,149 | $2,342 | $59 |
| Average | $110,590 | $9,216 | $2,127 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,190 | $8,516 | $1,965 | $49 |
Cumberland County Schools - Fayetteville, NC
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, Inc - High Point, NC
ECU Health - Greenville, NC
Wilson Medical Center - Wilson, NC
A Lead Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Placement/Charge Nurse | 0-3 years | $97,336 |
| Lead Nurse | 3-5 years | $110,579 |
| Unit Nurse Leader | 5+ years | $129,401 |
| Nursing Services Senior Manager | 5+ years | $156,755 |
| Director of Nursing Services | 5+ years | $192,542 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Lead Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $117,305. While startup companies pay approximate $99,961.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $99,961 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $105,522 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $113,469 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $117,305 |
For Lead Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Lead Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Lead Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $132,708 | $64.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lead Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $121,790 | $10,149 | $2,342 | $59 |
| Average | $110,590 | $9,216 | $2,127 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,190 | $8,516 | $1,965 | $49 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Lead Nurse, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| CCU Nurse Leader | $103,600 | -6% |
| ER Unit Nurse Leader | $98,130 | -11% |
| Clinic Nurse Manager | $99,100 | -10% |
| Unit Nurse Leader | $129,410 | 17% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Novant Health
Charlotte, NC
Novant Health | Charlotte, NC
What We Offer. Provides and clinical and administrative leadership duties in the practice under the direction of the Novant Health Oncology Specialist mana... more
9 Days Ago
Lincoln Community Health Center
Durham, NC
Lincoln Community Health Center | Durham, NC
Registered Nurses (RN) Outpatient Community Primary Care. Looking for meaningful work in a vibrant outpatient community practice. Why Lincoln Community Hea... more
9 Days Ago
ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON SCHOOL SYSTEM
Burlington, NC
ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON SCHOOL SYSTEM | Burlington, NC
Lead School Nurse. The Lead School Nurse is to provide a robust health program for the assessment, evaluation, maintenance and improvement of the health of... more
9 Days Ago
American Oncology Network
Franklin, NC
American Oncology Network | Franklin, NC
Lead Registered Nurse. Location: Messino Cancer Centers. Pay Range: $28.06 - $52.12. Job Description Summary. Collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Manager ... more
10 Days Ago
-
Albemarle, NC
- | Albemarle, NC
Make a Difference in Someone's Life. At Monarch, we work together to provide life-changing care in communities across North Carolina and Rhode Island. As a... more
7 Days Ago
Monarch
Raleigh, NC
Monarch | Raleigh, NC
Behavioral Health Urgent Care Nurse. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 24. Schedule: Friday (12pm-8pm), Saturday (8am-5pm), and Sunday (8am-5pm). Pay Range Minimum: ... more
7 Days Ago
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