What is the median wage in North Carolina?

The median wage for all occupations in North Carolina is $47,970 a year, compared with $50,980 a year for the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).

What is the highest paying job in North Carolina?

Among occupations with at least 50 jobs, surgeons, all other have the highest median wage in North Carolina at $398,410 a year.

What is the most common job in North Carolina?

Retail Salespersons is the largest occupation, with 127,540 jobs and a median wage of $31,370 a year.

Checked Oct 23, 2026

North Carolina Wages by Occupation

Median pay for every occupation in North Carolina and its metro areas from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025).

Median wage: $47,970 a year; All occupations
U.S. median: $50,980 a year
Employment: 4,941,820; Wage and salary jobs
Occupations with data: 762

Pay range in North Carolina

All occupations: 10th to 90th percentile, middle half shaded

10%: $28,580Median: $47,97090%: $119,640

Highest paying occupations

Occupations with at least 50 jobs here

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

#	Occupation	Employment	Median wage	Mean wage
1	Surgeons, All Other	480	$398,410	$377,270
2	Dermatologists	800	$367,350	$360,910
3	Emergency Medicine Physicians	710	$339,350	$340,980
4	Neurologists	180	$325,550	$284,770
5	Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	560	$323,630	$372,620
6	Chief Executives	1,930	$314,290	$347,690
7	General Internal Medicine Physicians	1,700	$289,780	$283,840
8	Physicians, All Other	14,080	$260,330	$247,750
9	Physicians, Pathologists	340	$248,940	$285,200
10	Anesthesiologists	980	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more
11	Dentists, All Other Specialists	130	$225,990	$213,660
12	Orthodontists	160	$224,990	$277,320
13	Nurse Anesthetists	3,340	$224,610	$226,780
14	Podiatrists	240	$215,420	$241,300
15	Family Medicine Physicians	1,520	$215,230	$220,360

Most common occupations

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

#	Occupation	Employment	Median wage	Mean wage
1	Retail Salespersons	127,540	$31,370	$34,230
2	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	116,720	$38,230	$39,390
3	Registered Nurses	111,120	$84,350	$90,470
4	Cashiers	106,440	$28,880	$29,390
5	Fast Food and Counter Workers	92,230	$28,570	$29,050
6	Customer Service Representatives	89,510	$40,240	$43,450
7	Stockers and Order Fillers	87,510	$35,950	$36,950
8	Cooks, Fast Food	81,980	$27,190	$27,080
9	Waiters and Waitresses	71,940	$32,150	$37,850
10	Office Clerks, General	67,930	$41,770	$43,140
11	Nursing Assistants	64,010	$38,460	$39,280
12	General and Operations Managers	63,740	$101,950	$128,520
13	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	62,400	$51,530	$55,810
14	Home Health and Personal Care Aides	58,880	$31,240	$32,320
15	Software Developers	58,470	$134,710	$136,940

Jobs concentrated here

Highest location quotient: the share of jobs compared with the U.S. (2.0 = twice the national share)

Lowest paying occupations

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

Occupation	Employment	Median wage	Mean wage
Shampooers	90	$26,030	$25,780
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	400	$26,540	$34,980
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	14,120	$26,680	$27,560
Cooks, Fast Food	81,980	$27,190	$27,080
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	4,850	$27,310	$29,100
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	11,230	$27,560	$27,690
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	15,160	$28,320	$28,120
Fast Food and Counter Workers	92,230	$28,570	$29,050
Cashiers	106,440	$28,880	$29,390
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	2,000	$29,000	$29,940

Every occupation in North Carolina

Median wage by occupation group

Management Occupations (36)

Administrative Services Managers$105,630 a year
Advertising and Promotions Managers$121,730 a year
Architectural and Engineering Managers$167,840 a year
Chief Executives$314,290 a year
Compensation and Benefits Managers$135,240 a year
Computer and Information Systems Managers$172,860 a year
Construction Managers$106,640 a year
Education Administrators, All Other$98,880 a year
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$83,180 a year
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$101,060 a year
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$57,200 a year
Emergency Management Directors$93,840 a year
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$77,990 a year
Facilities Managers$108,130 a year
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers$80,540 a year
Financial Managers$166,780 a year
Food Service Managers$74,080 a year
Fundraising Managers$125,870 a year
Funeral Home Managers$80,730 a year
General and Operations Managers$101,950 a year
Human Resources Managers$142,990 a year
Industrial Production Managers$125,940 a year
Lodging Managers$63,860 a year
Managers, All Other$141,160 a year
Marketing Managers$165,480 a year
Medical and Health Services Managers$114,410 a year
Natural Sciences Managers$173,870 a year
Personal Service Managers, All Other$73,990 a year
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$96,410 a year
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$61,430 a year
Public Relations Managers$132,280 a year
Purchasing Managers$138,710 a year
Sales Managers$150,470 a year
Social and Community Service Managers$79,590 a year
Training and Development Managers$126,200 a year
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$106,100 a year

Business and Financial Operations Occupations (31)

Accountants and Auditors$82,050 a year
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and AthletesNot reported
Budget Analysts$82,350 a year
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$80,230 a year
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$75,880 a year
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$75,310 a year
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$67,970 a year
Compliance Officers$78,500 a year
Cost Estimators$74,730 a year
Credit Analysts$94,570 a year
Credit Counselors$46,180 a year
Financial and Investment Analysts$102,390 a year
Financial Examiners$100,730 a year
Financial Risk Specialists$132,040 a year
Financial Specialists, All Other$80,900 a year
Fundraisers$66,100 a year
Human Resources Specialists$73,070 a year
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage$74,810 a year
Insurance Underwriters$77,120 a year
Labor Relations Specialists$86,270 a year
Loan Officers$75,920 a year
Logisticians$80,780 a year
Management Analysts$98,560 a year
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78,410 a year
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$54,990 a year
Personal Financial Advisors$96,880 a year
Project Management Specialists$100,820 a year
Property Appraisers and Assessors$66,700 a year
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$61,950 a year
Tax Preparers$48,130 a year
Training and Development Specialists$65,250 a year

Computer and Mathematical Occupations (20)

Actuaries$128,730 a year
Computer and Information Research Scientists$128,370 a year
Computer Network Architects$127,320 a year
Computer Network Support SpecialistsNot reported
Computer Occupations, All Other$104,850 a year
Computer Programmers$81,070 a year
Computer Systems Analysts$106,850 a year
Computer User Support Specialists$60,120 a year
Data Scientists$119,090 a year
Database Administrators$113,900 a year
Database Architects$134,630 a year
Information Security Analysts$131,540 a year
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other$101,850 a year
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$95,230 a year
Operations Research Analysts$97,290 a year
Software Developers$134,710 a year
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$100,390 a year
Statisticians$115,690 a year
Web and Digital Interface Designers$97,990 a year
Web Developers$96,610 a year

Architecture and Engineering Occupations (33)

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansNot reported
Aerospace Engineers$122,930 a year
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$95,700 a year
Architectural and Civil Drafters$62,750 a year
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$94,790 a year
Calibration Technologists and Technicians$61,000 a year
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$81,080 a year
Chemical Engineers$117,410 a year
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58,700 a year
Civil Engineers$100,730 a year
Computer Hardware Engineers$134,670 a year
Drafters, All Other$59,500 a year
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,040 a year
Electrical and Electronics Drafters$81,960 a year
Electrical Engineers$110,130 a year
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$63,330 a year
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$115,920 a year
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$72,070 a year
Engineers, All Other$112,450 a year
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians$53,660 a year
Environmental Engineers$99,440 a year
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$106,800 a year
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69,720 a year
Industrial Engineers$99,310 a year
Landscape Architects$83,420 a year
Materials Engineers$104,240 a year
Mechanical Drafters$59,050 a year
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$62,360 a year
Mechanical Engineers$100,720 a year
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$70,310 a year
Nuclear Engineers$131,850 a year
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$53,160 a year
Surveyors$76,210 a year

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (42)

Agricultural Technicians$51,470 a year
Anthropologists and Archeologists$73,130 a year
Atmospheric and Space Scientists$91,560 a year
Biochemists and Biophysicists$82,220 a year
Biological Scientists, All Other$100,070 a year
Biological Technicians$61,720 a year
Chemical Technicians$59,030 a year
Chemists$82,620 a year
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$92,130 a year
Conservation Scientists$64,460 a year
Economists$136,150 a year
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$51,630 a year
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$74,130 a year
Epidemiologists$84,770 a year
Food Science Technicians$48,640 a year
Food Scientists and Technologists$79,840 a year
Forensic Science Technicians$59,240 a year
Forest and Conservation Technicians$48,360 a year
Foresters$77,870 a year
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$48,090 a year
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$95,260 a year
Historians$73,440 a year
Hydrologic Technicians$59,590 a year
Hydrologists$81,770 a year
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$49,200 a year
Materials Scientists$106,470 a year
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$102,980 a year
Microbiologists$85,860 a year
Nuclear Technicians$110,430 a year
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$86,650 a year
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$61,760 a year
Physical Scientists, All Other$110,030 a year
Physicists$174,180 a year
Psychologists, All Other$126,440 a year
School Psychologists$73,220 a year
Social Science Research Assistants$63,710 a year
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$81,420 a year
Sociologists$126,760 a year
Soil and Plant Scientists$76,330 a year
Survey Researchers$96,560 a year
Urban and Regional Planners$81,230 a year
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$64,620 a year

Community and Social Service Occupations (16)

Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,610 a year
Clergy$59,600 a year
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$54,820 a year
Community Health Workers$47,560 a year
Counselors, All Other$52,280 a year
Directors, Religious Activities and Education$63,280 a year
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$57,630 a year
Health Education Specialists$58,080 a year
Healthcare Social Workers$63,280 a year
Marriage and Family Therapists$48,100 a year
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$58,210 a year
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$62,220 a year
Rehabilitation Counselors$45,890 a year
Social and Human Service Assistants$42,850 a year
Social Workers, All Other$63,490 a year
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$55,490 a year

Legal Occupations (6)

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers$129,960 a year
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators$75,320 a year
Lawyers$127,710 a year
Legal Support Workers, All Other$63,170 a year
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$57,500 a year
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$50,500 a year

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations (64)

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$51,810 a year
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$102,560 a year
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$64,380 a year
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary$86,850 a year
Archivists$55,370 a year
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$66,470 a year
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$73,800 a year
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$102,980 a year
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$77,700 a year
Business Teachers, Postsecondary$79,600 a year
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$52,270 a year
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62,390 a year
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$58,600 a year
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$78,620 a year
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$65,850 a year
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$80,080 a year
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$63,020 a year
Curators$49,470 a year
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$114,200 a year
Education Teachers, Postsecondary$70,050 a year
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$61,580 a year
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$54,930 a year
Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryNot reported
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$63,370 a year
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$82,360 a year
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$78,770 a year
Farm and Home Management Educators$64,280 a year
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$63,900 a year
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary$108,430 a year
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary$84,630 a year
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$103,220 a year
History Teachers, Postsecondary$75,070 a year
Instructional Coordinators$63,340 a year
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$53,180 a year
Law Teachers, Postsecondary$97,090 a year
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$61,420 a year
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary$79,460 a year
Library Technicians$46,520 a year
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$73,620 a year
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$52,010 a year
Museum Technicians and Conservators$39,290 a year
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$80,400 a year
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$76,340 a year
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$87,370 a year
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78,760 a year
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$74,240 a year
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$35,710 a year
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$75,260 a year
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$73,860 a year
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57,650 a year
Self-Enrichment Teachers$41,710 a year
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All OtherNot reported
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$68,660 a year
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$76,430 a year
Special Education Teachers, All Other$65,170 a year
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$58,260 a year
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$59,360 a year
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$60,180 a year
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$56,770 a year
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$33,780 a year
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$50,000 a year
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$29,790 a year
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$50,050 a year
Tutors$42,390 a year

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations (38)

Actors$18.83 an hour
Art Directors$90,000 a year
Artists and Related Workers, All Other$81,850 a year
Athletes and Sports CompetitorsNot reported
Audio and Video Technicians$46,700 a year
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$47,910 a year
Broadcast Technicians$47,780 a year
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film$62,720 a year
Coaches and Scouts$43,840 a year
Commercial and Industrial Designers$80,620 a year
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners$73,510 a year
Designers, All Other$51,740 a year
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio$26.30 an hour
Editors$73,740 a year
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other$17.30 an hour
Fashion Designers$74,990 a year
Film and Video Editors$60,020 a year
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsNot reported
Floral Designers$37,190 a year
Graphic Designers$58,450 a year
Interior Designers$61,400 a year
Interpreters and Translators$50,030 a year
Lighting Technicians$49,410 a year
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other$78,690 a year
Media and Communication Workers, All Other$42,920 a year
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$37,960 a year
Music Directors and Composers$63,380 a year
Musicians and Singers$57.96 an hour
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$58,670 a year
Photographers$37,120 a year
Producers and Directors$63,700 a year
Public Relations Specialists$67,230 a year
Set and Exhibit Designers$49,410 a year
Sound Engineering Technicians$49,150 a year
Special Effects Artists and Animators$88,350 a year
Technical Writers$86,320 a year
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$26,540 a year
Writers and Authors$63,660 a year

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (67)

Acupuncturists$76,500 a year
Anesthesiologists$239,200 or more a year
Athletic Trainers$56,540 a year
Audiologists$88,920 a year
CardiologistsNot reported
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$55,460 a year
Chiropractors$91,540 a year
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$60,650 a year
Dental Hygienists$97,850 a year
Dentists, All Other Specialists$225,990 a year
Dentists, General$207,000 a year
Dermatologists$367,350 a year
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$86,010 a year
Dietetic Technicians$31,010 a year
Dietitians and Nutritionists$67,560 a year
Emergency Medical Technicians$44,250 a year
Emergency Medicine Physicians$339,350 a year
Exercise Physiologists$52,450 a year
Family Medicine Physicians$215,230 a year
General Internal Medicine Physicians$289,780 a year
Genetic Counselors$93,570 a year
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$63,010 a year
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$46,480 a year
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$117,210 a year
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$57,390 a year
Hearing Aid Specialists$75,810 a year
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63,270 a year
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$85,120 a year
Medical Dosimetrists$147,830 a year
Medical Records Specialists$49,620 a year
Neurologists$325,550 a year
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$85,240 a year
Nurse Anesthetists$224,610 a year
Nurse Midwives$126,040 a year
Nurse Practitioners$128,990 a year
Obstetricians and Gynecologists$134,540 a year
Occupational Therapists$92,940 a year
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$45,150 a year
Opticians, Dispensing$50,190 a year
Optometrists$161,560 a year
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$224,040 a year
Orthodontists$224,990 a year
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$323,630 a year
Orthotists and Prosthetists$82,190 a year
Paramedics$57,320 a year
Pediatricians, General$183,550 a year
Pharmacists$138,860 a year
Pharmacy Technicians$44,530 a year
Physical Therapists$99,910 a year
Physician Assistants$129,360 a year
Physicians, All Other$260,330 a year
Physicians, Pathologists$248,940 a year
Podiatrists$215,420 a year
Psychiatric Technicians$40,630 a year
Psychiatrists$168,880 a year
Radiation Therapists$99,250 a year
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$74,450 a year
Recreational Therapists$51,030 a year
Registered Nurses$84,350 a year
Respiratory Therapists$80,090 a year
Speech-Language Pathologists$86,460 a year
Surgeons, All Other$398,410 a year
Surgical Assistants$59,920 a year
Surgical Technologists$60,920 a year
Therapists, All Other$60,400 a year
Veterinarians$129,240 a year
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,620 a year

Healthcare Support Occupations (17)

Dental Assistants$50,380 a year
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$47,080 a year
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,240 a year
Massage Therapists$60,650 a year
Medical Assistants$45,140 a year
Medical Equipment Preparers$45,130 a year
Medical Transcriptionists$39,300 a year
Nursing Assistants$38,460 a year
Occupational Therapy Aides$66,190 a year
Occupational Therapy Assistants$69,390 a year
Orderlies$38,680 a year
Pharmacy Aides$35,530 a year
Phlebotomists$43,330 a year
Physical Therapist Aides$34,760 a year
Physical Therapist Assistants$67,540 a year
Psychiatric Aides$38,400 a year
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37,070 a year

Protective Service Occupations (21)

Animal Control Workers$43,940 a year
Bailiffs$56,100 a year
Correctional Officers and Jailers$50,550 a year
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$33,730 a year
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$63,280 a year
Fire Inspectors and Investigators$66,820 a year
Firefighters$37,940 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$67,270 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$59,560 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$91,100 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$66,400 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$57,390 a year
Fish and Game Wardens$61,430 a year
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,310 a year
Parking Enforcement Workers$42,410 a year
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$59,300 a year
Private Detectives and Investigators$52,890 a year
Protective Service Workers, All Other$43,740 a year
School Bus Monitors$32,970 a year
Security Guards$35,010 a year
Transportation Security Screeners$64,540 a year

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations (16)

Bartenders$36,470 a year
Chefs and Head Cooks$61,130 a year
Cooks, All Other$31,120 a year
Cooks, Fast Food$27,190 a year
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,140 a year
Cooks, Restaurant$35,400 a year
Cooks, Short Order$31,290 a year
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$27,560 a year
Dishwashers$30,340 a year
Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,570 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,010 a year
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$30,160 a year
Food Preparation Workers$30,260 a year
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$31,460 a year
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28,320 a year
Waiters and Waitresses$32,150 a year

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations (9)

Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$39,180 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$47,490 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$56,930 a year
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,500 a year
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$37,910 a year
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,310 a year
Pest Control Workers$44,740 a year
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$48,240 a year
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$48,480 a year

Personal Care and Service Occupations (26)

Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26,680 a year
Animal Caretakers$30,870 a year
Animal Trainers$37,680 a year
Baggage Porters and Bellhops$32,940 a year
Barbers$31,050 a year
Childcare Workers$29,140 a year
Concierges$34,780 a year
Costume Attendants$33,920 a year
Crematory Operators$41,350 a year
Embalmers$68,550 a year
Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other$37,240 a year
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$46,450 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49,040 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$45,400 a year
Funeral Attendants$34,940 a year
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$38,410 a year
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$33,140 a year
Manicurists and Pedicurists$34,740 a year
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$60,730 a year
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$33,290 a year
Recreation Workers$32,720 a year
Residential Advisors$39,130 a year
Shampooers$26,030 a year
Skincare Specialists$39,120 a year
Tour and Travel Guides$32,570 a year
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$30,260 a year

Sales and Related Occupations (21)

Advertising Sales AgentsNot reported
Cashiers$28,880 a year
Counter and Rental Clerks$38,230 a year
Demonstrators and Product Promoters$36,650 a year
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers$37,370 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$91,200 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,760 a year
Gambling Change Persons and Booth CashiersNot reported
Insurance Sales Agents$58,710 a year
Parts Salespersons$32,480 a year
Real Estate Brokers$52,830 a year
Real Estate Sales Agents$51,240 a year
Retail Salespersons$31,370 a year
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$38,470 a year
Sales Engineers$121,530 a year
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$62,620 a year
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,990 a year
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$125,370 a year
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$74,040 a year
Telemarketers$34,380 a year
Travel Agents$56,180 a year

Office and Administrative Support Occupations (52)

Bill and Account Collectors$42,910 a year
Billing and Posting Clerks$47,160 a year
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,930 a year
Brokerage Clerks$60,950 a year
Cargo and Freight Agents$48,000 a year
Communications Equipment Operators, All Other$46,430 a year
Correspondence Clerks$42,340 a year
Couriers and Messengers$39,100 a year
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$49,110 a year
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks$47,340 a year
Customer Service Representatives$40,240 a year
Data Entry Keyers$39,610 a year
Desktop Publishers$43,700 a year
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$48,230 a year
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$47,350 a year
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$70,140 a year
File Clerks$43,260 a year
Financial Clerks, All Other$58,290 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$62,340 a year
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$29,900 a year
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$48,190 a year
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$33,880 a year
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$48,130 a year
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$39,200 a year
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43,720 a year
Library Assistants, Clerical$34,550 a year
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$57,780 a year
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37,830 a year
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44,190 a year
Meter Readers, Utilities$41,830 a year
New Accounts Clerks$49,480 a year
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$48,890 a year
Office Clerks, General$41,770 a year
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$44,480 a year
Order Clerks$46,060 a year
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$53,550 a year
Postal Service Clerks$64,290 a year
Postal Service Mail Carriers$59,990 a year
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$55,350 a year
Procurement Clerks$50,390 a year
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$52,640 a year
Proofreaders and Copy Markers$46,140 a year
Public Safety Telecommunicators$46,550 a year
Receptionists and Information Clerks$35,440 a year
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$44,630 a year
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45,790 a year
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$43,040 a year
Statistical AssistantsNot reported
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$38,520 a year
Telephone Operators$40,360 a year
Tellers$44,830 a year
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$43,680 a year

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations (12)

Agricultural Equipment Operators$39,580 a year
Agricultural Inspectors$47,760 a year
Agricultural Workers, All Other$43,790 a year
Fallers$46,080 a year
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$33,870 a year
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$38,750 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$58,700 a year
Forest and Conservation WorkersNot reported
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$34,720 a year
Log Graders and Scalers$36,850 a year
Logging Equipment Operators$48,420 a year
Logging Workers, All Other$48,460 a year

Construction and Extraction Occupations (50)

Boilermakers$49,720 a year
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$49,940 a year
Carpenters$49,100 a year
Carpet InstallersNot reported
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$46,780 a year
Construction and Building Inspectors$66,080 a year
Construction Laborers$44,720 a year
Continuous Mining Machine Operators$59,030 a year
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$45,080 a year
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$57,300 a year
Electricians$56,800 a year
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers$107,700 a year
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$58,620 a year
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters$85,630 a year
Fence Erectors$39,100 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75,270 a year
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$51,700 a year
Floor Sanders and Finishers$39,170 a year
Glaziers$46,170 a year
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$43,180 a year
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters$39,230 a year
Helpers--Carpenters$40,540 a year
Helpers--Electricians$39,880 a year
Helpers--Extraction Workers$42,670 a year
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons$35,980 a year
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$43,710 a year
Helpers--Roofers$44,120 a year
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$38,480 a year
Highway Maintenance Workers$47,880 a year
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$42,990 a year
Insulation Workers, Mechanical$48,430 a year
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$47,510 a year
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$49,310 a year
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$44,110 a year
Paperhangers$48,590 a year
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$47,820 a year
Pipelayers$47,220 a year
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$57,080 a year
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators$47,700 a year
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers$51,690 a year
Rock Splitters, Quarry$56,320 a year
Roofers$49,010 a year
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas$57,760 a year
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$47,280 a year
Sheet Metal Workers$50,730 a year
Solar Photovoltaic Installers$43,860 a year
Stonemasons$52,760 a year
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$48,740 a year
Tapers$45,770 a year
Tile and Stone Setters$44,650 a year

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations (46)

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$76,980 a year
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$44,490 a year
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$50,520 a year
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$60,710 a year
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$48,200 a year
Avionics Technicians$78,710 a year
Bicycle Repairers$36,500 a year
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$57,490 a year
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers$41,140 a year
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$46,010 a year
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$46,890 a year
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$64,820 a year
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers$46,320 a year
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$76,740 a year
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$104,710 a year
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$77,270 a year
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles$46,850 a year
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$50,750 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76,800 a year
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$57,260 a year
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$38,700 a year
Home Appliance Repairers$47,270 a year
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$62,430 a year
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$46,780 a year
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers$45,900 a year
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$47,910 a year
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$60,580 a year
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers$51,460 a year
Mechanical Door Repairers$52,050 a year
Medical Equipment Repairers$59,190 a year
Millwrights$62,990 a year
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64,080 a year
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$51,430 a year
Motorcycle Mechanics$48,670 a year
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners$42,970 a year
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$47,370 a year
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$61,070 a year
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers$47,040 a year
Rail Car Repairers$47,880 a year
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$62,000 a year
Riggers$56,640 a year
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$54,120 a year
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$63,970 a year
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$56,680 a year
Tire Repairers and Changers$35,140 a year
Wind Turbine Service Technicians$66,380 a year

Production Occupations (98)

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$34,830 a year
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers$51,930 a year
Bakers$34,510 a year
Butchers and Meat Cutters$38,240 a year
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$46,010 a year
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$49,650 a year
Chemical Plant and System Operators$62,920 a year
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$38,340 a year
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,730 a year
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$51,180 a year
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$50,440 a year
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$63,990 a year
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders$39,030 a year
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,270 a year
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand$47,910 a year
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$43,770 a year
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,400 a year
Dental Laboratory Technicians$49,700 a year
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,970 a year
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,080 a year
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$45,750 a year
Etchers and Engravers$39,270 a year
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53,330 a year
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$40,090 a year
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$43,050 a year
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers$48,180 a year
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators$43,890 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$69,640 a year
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$35,980 a year
Food Batchmakers$36,590 a year
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$39,070 a year
Food Processing Workers, All Other$37,360 a year
Foundry Mold and Coremakers$46,910 a year
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$39,310 a year
Furniture Finishers$39,920 a year
Gas Plant Operators$81,460 a year
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$37,600 a year
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic$47,770 a year
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,660 a year
Helpers--Production Workers$39,410 a year
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,430 a year
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$55,420 a year
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53,840 a year
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$31,920 a year
Machinists$55,230 a year
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$39,170 a year
Medical Appliance Technicians$54,650 a year
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$45,190 a year
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$60,780 a year
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,210 a year
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,330 a year
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,020 a year
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic$45,760 a year
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$38,190 a year
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,630 a year
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,320 a year
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians$44,140 a year
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,150 a year
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers$42,960 a year
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,940 a year
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic$47,050 a year
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$80,060 a year
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators$35,580 a year
Plant and System Operators, All Other$61,190 a year
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,540 a year
Pourers and Casters, Metal$57,700 a year
Power Distributors and Dispatchers$90,420 a year
Power Plant Operators$108,300 a year
Prepress Technicians and Workers$49,760 a year
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$29,300 a year
Print Binding and Finishing Workers$39,580 a year
Printing Press Operators$45,630 a year
Production Workers, All Other$38,790 a year
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,450 a year
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$38,100 a year
Semiconductor Processing Technicians$56,160 a year
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,140 a year
Sewers, Hand$36,550 a year
Sewing Machine Operators$35,160 a year
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers$38,020 a year
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$39,930 a year
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$60,860 a year
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$48,990 a year
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$41,260 a year
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders$37,610 a year
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$43,460 a year
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$36,700 a year
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$36,580 a year
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$37,280 a year
Tire Builders$63,950 a year
Tool and Die Makers$61,060 a year
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$45,790 a year
Upholsterers$50,600 a year
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$51,680 a year
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,590 a year
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,580 a year
Woodworkers, All Other$39,370 a year
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$37,550 a year

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (41)

Air Traffic Controllers$129,230 a year
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,130 a year
Airfield Operations Specialists$45,820 a year
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$151,540 a year
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$32,450 a year
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$33,680 a year
Bridge and Lock Tenders$41,380 a year
Bus Drivers, School$37,460 a year
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$44,060 a year
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$69,170 a year
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33,470 a year
Commercial Pilots$127,310 a year
Conveyor Operators and Tenders$39,160 a year
Crane and Tower Operators$64,480 a year
Driver/Sales Workers$36,540 a year
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling$60,070 a year
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,530 a year
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43,420 a year
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,230 a year
Light Truck Drivers$39,910 a year
Locomotive Engineers$61,190 a year
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$37,370 a year
Material Moving Workers, All Other$38,960 a year
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$29,000 a year
Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,360 a year
Parking Attendants$30,540 a year
Passenger Attendants$35,740 a year
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers$45,890 a year
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers$54,810 a year
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$58,930 a year
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$44,670 a year
Sailors and Marine Oilers$44,770 a year
Ship Engineers$65,010 a year
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$31,980 a year
Stockers and Order Fillers$35,950 a year
Subway and Streetcar Operators$62,590 a year
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$44,910 a year
Taxi Drivers$36,950 a year
Traffic Technicians$56,800 a year
Transportation Inspectors$84,470 a year
Transportation Workers, All Other$43,660 a year

Metro and nonmetro areas in North Carolina

All occupations. Areas that cross state lines are listed under their main state

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

Area	Median wage	Employment
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$49,990	1,358,370
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$49,430	763,060
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$51,990	743,120
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$46,570	365,410
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$60,720	344,020
Winston-Salem, NC	$46,380	271,980
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$42,560	264,470
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$42,990	253,210
Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$42,140	238,010
Wilmington, NC	$45,800	191,280
Asheville, NC	$46,870	180,620
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$45,220	154,090
Fayetteville, NC	$45,620	131,430
Greenville, NC	$46,560	80,770
Burlington, NC	$44,010	67,830
Rocky Mount, NC	$43,960	54,630
Jacksonville, NC	$40,230	52,570
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	$42,920	42,900
Goldsboro, NC	$40,570	40,320

Frequently asked questions

What is the median wage in North Carolina?: The median wage for all occupations in North Carolina is $47,970 a year, compared with $50,980 a year for the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
What is the highest paying job in North Carolina?: Among occupations with at least 50 jobs, surgeons, all other have the highest median wage in North Carolina at $398,410 a year.
What is the most common job in North Carolina?: Retail Salespersons is the largest occupation, with 127,540 jobs and a median wage of $31,370 a year.

Data sources

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

See something wrong? Request a correction

More jobs data for this state

North Carolina jobs overview: unemployment, minimum wage, H-1B, federal openings and more.

About this data

Financial and loans: Rates, loan limits, lending data and economic figures are provided for general information only and are not financial, investment, tax or credit advice. Rates shown are published averages and are not an offer of credit. Contact a licensed lender or financial professional about your situation.

Wage estimates come from employer surveys and exclude the self-employed. They describe typical pay, not what any one employer pays.

DatenUS is a private website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. We republish public data from the sources listed on this page. Data can be incomplete, delayed or wrong. Always check the original source before you make a decision.

Our servers read this data automatically from government sources. Errors can come from the source itself or from the way we read, process or display it, and we do not guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current. Verify anything important with the official source.

Report an error Read the full disclaimer