Average Salary by Industry in North Carolina
Technology and Software
Technology is North Carolina's fastest-growing high-wage sector, anchored by Research Triangle Park — one of the largest planned research parks in the world. Software developers earn a mean annual wage of approximately $108,000 in NC, while IT managers average $120,000–$140,000. Cybersecurity analysts typically earn $95,000–$115,000. Companies including Apple, Google, Cisco, Red Hat, and dozens of biotech firms maintain a major presence in the Triangle, keeping tech salaries competitive with national benchmarks. See our NC Software Developer Salary After Taxes guide for a detailed take-home pay breakdown.
Healthcare and Medical
Healthcare is North Carolina's largest employment sector and spans an enormous wage range. Registered nurses earn a mean annual wage of approximately $73,000; nurse practitioners and physician assistants average $115,000–$130,000; and physicians can earn $250,000–$450,000 depending on specialty. Duke Health, UNC Health, Atrium Health, and Novant Health are among the state's largest employers. Entry-level healthcare support roles — medical assistants, CNAs, home health aides — average $30,000–$38,000. For a full tax breakdown, see our NC Nurse Salary After Taxes guide.
Finance and Insurance
Charlotte is home to Bank of America's global headquarters and a major hub for Wells Fargo, making it the second-largest financial center in the United States by assets. Financial analysts in NC average approximately $90,000 annually, personal financial advisors average $110,000, and senior banking executives can reach $200,000 or more. Insurance underwriters and claims adjusters earn $65,000–$85,000. The overall finance and insurance sector mean wage sits around $90,000–$95,000, well above the statewide average.
Manufacturing and Construction
North Carolina has a long manufacturing tradition, particularly in aerospace, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and food processing. Manufacturing workers earn a mean annual wage of approximately $57,000, though advanced manufacturing roles — CNC machinists, quality engineers, production supervisors — push into the $65,000–$85,000 range. Construction trades average $55,000–$62,000 statewide, with electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians typically earning $55,000–$75,000. See our NC Construction Worker Salary After Taxes guide for take-home pay details.
Education and Government
Public school teachers in North Carolina earn a mean of approximately $54,000–$58,000 per year depending on experience and local supplements. North Carolina increased base teacher pay significantly over the past several years, though salaries remain below the national average for educators. State government workers average around $60,000. University faculty at UNC, NC State, and Duke range from $75,000 (assistant professors) to $200,000+ (full professors at research institutions). For a teacher salary breakdown, see our NC Teacher Salary After Taxes guide.
Average Salary by City in North Carolina
Charlotte and Raleigh
Charlotte and Raleigh lead the state in average wages, both with a median salary of approximately $70,800 per year. Charlotte's financial sector and Raleigh's technology and government concentration drive salaries well above the statewide median. About 80% of full-time workers in both metro areas earn between $50,000 and $90,000. See our city salary guides for a full picture: Charlotte Cost of Living and Salary Guide and Raleigh Cost of Living and Salary Guide.
Durham and the Research Triangle
Durham benefits from proximity to Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park. The median salary is approximately $66,700 per year — somewhat below Charlotte and Raleigh but supported by a large concentration of biotech, pharmaceutical, and research jobs. The Raleigh vs. Charlotte salary comparison covers the Triangle-to-Charlotte wage differential in detail. Our Durham Cost of Living and Salaries guide covers take-home pay and living expenses.
Mid-Size Cities: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville
Greensboro's median salary runs around $56,000 per year, driven by logistics, healthcare, and a significant manufacturing presence. Winston-Salem averages approximately $54,200, with healthcare (Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center) and financial services as key employers. Fayetteville wages are influenced by Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) — military pay and defense-sector jobs push compensation higher for a subset of residents. For more detail, see our Greensboro Cost of Living guide and Winston-Salem Cost of Living guide.
How Experience and Education Affect NC Salary
Salary by Experience Level
Experience is the single biggest lever on individual compensation within any given industry. Entry-level workers with zero to two years of experience typically earn $40,000–$50,000 across most NC industries. Mid-level workers with three to five years average $55,000–$75,000. Senior roles and managers with six or more years of experience typically earn $80,000–$110,000. Director and VP-level positions generally start around $120,000, and C-suite roles at larger companies reach $150,000–$300,000 or more. These ranges vary significantly by industry — a senior nurse practitioner and a senior software engineer have very different ceilings.
The Education Premium in NC
A bachelor's degree adds approximately $20,000–$30,000 per year over a high school diploma at the median level in North Carolina, and a master's degree or professional credential adds another $15,000–$25,000. However, the return varies sharply by field: an engineering or nursing degree offers a high and fast return on investment, while some liberal arts degrees may take longer to close the gap. Trade certifications in the skilled trades — electricians, HVAC technicians, welders — often offer strong wage premiums with lower upfront education costs than a four-year degree.
Highest-Paying Jobs in North Carolina
Healthcare Top Earners
Physicians and surgeons consistently top the NC wage charts. Anesthesiologists and orthopedic surgeons earn $350,000–$450,000 annually; psychiatrists average $250,000–$300,000. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners average $115,000–$135,000. Pharmacists — with high demand across NC's large rural areas — average $120,000–$140,000. These figures are gross; to see what high earners actually take home after NC's 4.25% flat income tax and federal withholding, use our NC Paycheck Calculator.
Technology, Finance, and Business
Chief executive officers at mid-to-large NC companies average $150,000–$300,000 and up. Chief financial officers typically earn $150,000–$275,000. IT managers average $120,000–$150,000. Senior software engineers at major technology companies earn $130,000–$180,000 including equity. Lawyers specializing in corporate and healthcare law earn $120,000–$200,000. For context on how NC taxes high earners, see our NC Income Tax Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in North Carolina?
A salary of $60,000–$80,000 is generally considered comfortable for a single person in most NC cities. For a family of four, $80,000–$100,000 covers typical expenses in mid-size cities like Greensboro or Winston-Salem, while Charlotte or Raleigh may require $90,000–$120,000 for the same lifestyle given higher housing costs. The best cities in NC for high salaries guide covers which metro areas offer the best combination of wages and cost of living.
Which industries pay the most in North Carolina?
Technology, finance/insurance, and healthcare are consistently the highest-paying broad sectors. Within those, specific roles — physician, software engineer, investment banker, pharmacist, IT manager — are at the top. Manufacturing and government offer stable middle-income wages, while retail, food service, and hospitality anchor the bottom of the wage distribution. See our Best Industries for High-Paying Jobs guide for a full breakdown.
How do I negotiate a higher salary in North Carolina?
Start by benchmarking your role using BLS OEWS data, industry salary surveys, and tools like Glassdoor or LinkedIn Salary. Know the specific range for your industry, city, and experience level before entering any negotiation. Present a data-backed case rather than a personal need. Our NC Salary Negotiation Guide walks through step-by-step tactics that work in NC's job market.
Does North Carolina tax all of my salary?
North Carolina taxes all wages at a flat 4.25% state income tax rate (as of 2026), on top of federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). There is no city or county income tax. Use our NC Paycheck Calculator to see your exact take-home pay based on your salary, filing status, and withholding elections.
