OR North Carolina High Demand

OR Travel Nurse Salary in North Carolina

Calculate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in North Carolina. OR travel nurses assist in surgical procedures, managing sterile fields, instruments, and patient care during operations.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$49/hr

OR in NC

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,971

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$102,502

Working full-time

#32

North Carolina OR Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for OR travel nurse compensation

North Carolina offers moderate OR travel nurse compensation at $49/hr (ranked #32 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. Demand is steady for this specialty.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,070

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,493

(After 29.25% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$845/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $65/hr — $16/hr more than North Carolina. Compare →

Calculate Your OR Pay in North Carolina

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Operating Room travel nurse in North Carolina. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for North Carolina ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.3%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.25%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.25% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$74.53

Based on 36 hours in NC.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,683

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,584

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$463

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,220

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$28,856

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$57,712

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$115,423

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,220

per week

Taxes

$463

per week

Total Gross: $2,683 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in North Carolina

$1,100

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,870

Your stipend covers rent with $1,870 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,100/month in Charlotte:

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Cost of Living Analysis in North Carolina

Monthly Net Income:$9,611
Average 1BR Rent:$1,100
True Discretionary Income:$8,511

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:96.5

National average = 100. North Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 3.5 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in North Carolina

OR travel nurses in North Carolina receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for OR Travel Nurses in North Carolina

OR Certifications

  • BLS
  • 2+ years OR experience
  • CNOR preferred

North Carolina Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in North Carolina

Tax Information

State Income Tax 5.25%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 96.5
vs National Avg 3.5% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring OR Nurses in North Carolina

  • Duke University Hospital
  • UNC Medical Center
  • Atrium Health

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do OR travel nurses make in North Carolina?

Operating Room travel nurses in North Carolina typically earn between $44 and $61 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $49/hr. This translates to approximately $1,971 per week or $102,502 annually. OR nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a OR travel nurse in North Carolina?

To work as a Operating Room travel nurse in North Carolina, you typically need: BLS, 2+ years OR experience, CNOR preferred. North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for OR travel nurses in North Carolina?

The GSA per diem rates for North Carolina are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. OR travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is North Carolina a good state for OR travel nurses?

North Carolina has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. OR nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 96.5 (below national average).

Which cities in North Carolina have the best OR travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Operating Room travel nurse assignments in North Carolina include: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro. Major hospitals like Duke University Hospital and UNC Medical Center frequently hire OR travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.