North Carolina vs Virginia: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Research Triangle vs. DC metro. Different healthcare ecosystems, comparable salaries.
North Carolina
20,694
physicians in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $77,440
- Avg physician salary
- $365,000
- Cost of living
- 95.7
- Top state income tax
- 4.25%
Virginia
26,375
physicians in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $82,150
- Avg physician salary
- $362,000
- Cost of living
- 102.1
- Top state income tax
- 5.75%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians in directory | 20,694 | 26,375 |
| Cities served | 664 | 726 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $77,440 | $82,150 |
| Avg physician salary | $365,000 | $362,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 95.7 | 102.1 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 4.25% | 5.75% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
North Carolina
- CHARLOTTE1,870
- RALEIGH1,121
- WINSTON SALEM870
- ASHEVILLE730
- Charlotte717
Virginia
- Richmond1,893
- Charlottesville1,182
- RICHMOND1,034
- Norfolk824
- Fairfax753
Notable Health Systems
North Carolina
- • Duke Health
- • UNC Health
- • Atrium Health
- • Novant Health
Virginia
- • Inova Health
- • Sentara Healthcare
- • VCU Health
- • Carilion Clinic
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
North Carolina
https://www.ncmedboard.org/Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, North Carolina or Virginia?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Virginia earn an average of $82,150, compared to $77,440 in North Carolina. The gap is roughly $4,710 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, North Carolina or Virginia?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in North Carolina earn approximately $365,000 on average, compared to $362,000 in Virginia. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between North Carolina and Virginia?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), North Carolina is 95.7 and Virginia is 102.1. North Carolina (95.7) is the more affordable of the two, while Virginia (102.1) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many physicians practice in North Carolina vs. Virginia?
The Ava Health directory lists 20,694 physicians in North Carolina across 664 cities, and 26,375 physicians in Virginia across 726 cities. The full directory also includes nurses and therapists in both states. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 4.25%, while Virginia's top rate is 5.75%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
Other State Comparisons
Florida vs Texas
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California vs Texas
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California vs New York
Coast-to-coast heavyweights. Both pay top 10 nationwide — the decision often comes down to lifestyle.
New York vs New Jersey
Same metro, different tax regime. NJ licensure offers similar pay with lower state income tax.
Texas vs Arizona
No-state-income-tax Texas vs. high-demand Arizona. Both are fast-growing healthcare markets.
Washington vs Oregon
Pacific Northwest rivals. Washington has no state income tax; Oregon pays RNs among the top nationwide.