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Nursing jobs in Durham, North Carolina 2026
Metro-level context for Durham — North Carolina's statewide RN market, top hospitals hiring in the Durham area, and how the EB-3 sponsorship landscape looks locally.
Metro population
0.7M
RN employed (est.)
9,600
State median salary
$90,470
State shortage
22,600
Top hospitals hiring in Durham
- • Duke University Hospital
- • Duke Regional Hospital
- • VA Durham
Why Durham for international nurses
Durham is one of North Carolina's largest RN markets with roughly 9,600 registered nurses employed. North Carolina has a 22,600 nurse shortage (15% of demand) — an ACTIVE EB-3 sponsorship market with agencies placing overseas-trained nurses in this metro. Median RN salary in the state is $90,470, translating to $77,469 in national purchasing power after cost of living adjustment.