North Carolina Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 2 metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Prices in North Carolina were 5.7% below the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 94.3).
Metro Areas in North Carolina
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | -2.7% |
| Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | -1.8% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | 94.3 | -5.7% |
Top Paying Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | NC Median | National Median | vs National | Top Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,710 | $135,980 | -$1,270 | Charlotte, NC |
| Lawyer | $127,710 | $159,670 | -$31,960 | Charlotte, NC |
| Financial Analyst | $102,390 | $102,740 | -$350 | Charlotte, NC |
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $97,550 | -$13,200 | Charlotte, NC |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $63,190 | -$6,390 | Charlotte, NC |
Salary by City — North Carolina
4Wages and Prices in North Carolina
This dataset covers 2 metropolitan areas in North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh. BEA's regional price parities for them run from 97.3 to 98.2 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 94.3.
Of the occupations featured here, Software Developer has the highest statewide median at $134,710; among the metro areas covered, its highest median is $135,920 in Charlotte, NC.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within North Carolina.
Statewide median salary by occupation in North Carolina
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $260,330 | $361,250 | 14,080 |
| Marketing Manager | $165,480 | $210,580 | 10,790 |
| Sales Manager | $150,470 | $211,950 | 16,920 |
| HR Manager | $142,990 | $187,520 | 6,480 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $159,010 | 11,430 |
| Software Developer | $134,710 | $164,750 | 58,470 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $131,540 | $154,770 | 8,670 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $142,180 | 9,800 |
| Actuary | $128,730 | $154,450 | 610 |
| Lawyer | $127,710 | $210,130 | 17,000 |
| Network Engineer | $127,320 | $161,840 | 8,350 |
| Data Scientist | $119,090 | $147,540 | 11,430 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $119,090 | $147,540 | 11,430 |
| Database Administrator | $113,900 | $138,900 | 1,920 |
| Construction Manager | $106,640 | $137,510 | 16,310 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $106,100 | $143,490 | 6,650 |
| Cloud Architect | $104,850 | $140,920 | 15,090 |
| Financial Analyst | $102,390 | $131,440 | 12,710 |
| Operations Manager | $101,950 | $162,170 | 63,740 |
| Project Manager | $100,820 | $130,690 | 36,200 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $125,730 | 12,810 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $125,050 | 9,560 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $110,330 | 7,350 |
| Business Analyst | $98,560 | $131,360 | 22,200 |
| UX Designer | $97,990 | $133,860 | 3,400 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $100,930 | 6,690 |
| Financial Advisor | $96,880 | $153,970 | 12,340 |
| DevOps Engineer | $95,230 | $124,100 | 13,850 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $104,820 | 4,490 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $103,590 | 2,860 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $102,040 | 111,120 |
| Accountant | $82,050 | $108,090 | 49,270 |
| Tax Manager | $82,050 | $108,090 | 49,270 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $74,450 | $83,340 | 9,250 |
| College Professor | $74,240 | $86,230 | 2,030 |
| Investment Banker | $74,040 | $110,030 | 21,890 |
| School Counselor | $57,630 | $63,460 | 9,430 |
| Paralegal | $57,500 | $71,930 | 13,650 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,260 | $64,310 | 15,230 |
| Plumber | $57,080 | $63,290 | 14,510 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $61,920 | 21,640 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $54,930 | $59,730 | 42,410 |
| Welder | $50,590 | $60,870 | 11,750 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $47,500 | 23,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in North Carolina?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Software Developer has the highest statewide median in North Carolina at $134,710 per year, followed by Lawyer at $127,710. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in North Carolina compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for North Carolina at 94.3 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is 5.7% below the national level. For the metro areas covered here: Charlotte, NC 97.3, Raleigh, NC 98.2.
Which city in North Carolina has the best salaries?
Among the 2 North Carolina metro areas covered here, Charlotte, NC has the highest median for Software Developers at $135,920 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Rankings differ by occupation; the city table on this page shows each one.