Highest-paying jobs in North Carolina
Answer
Anesthesiologists have the highest median pay in North Carolina, $239,200+ a year, followed by dermatologists ($367,350) and emergency medicine physicians ($339,350). The median for all jobs in North Carolina is $47,970, 36th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 40th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $47,970
- 36th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $23.06
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 94.3
- Median worth $50,856 at US prices (40th)
- Jobs
- 4,941,820
- 699 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in North Carolina, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for North Carolina are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in North Carolina
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anesthesiologists | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | 980 | $391,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Dermatologists | $367,350 | $176.61 | 800 | $328,730 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $339,350 | $163.15 | 710 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $323,630 | $155.59 | 560 | $358,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Chief Executives | $314,290 | $151.10 | 1,930 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $289,780 | $139.32 | 1,700 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Nurse Anesthetists | $224,610 | $107.99 | 3,340 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 8 | Family Medicine Physicians | $215,230 | $103.47 | 1,520 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 | 4,140 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 10 | Pediatricians, General | $183,550 | $88.25 | 740 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 11 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,870 | $83.59 | 6,010 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $172,860 | $83.11 | 25,650 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Psychiatrists | $168,880 | $81.19 | 620 | $281,870 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 14 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $167,840 | $80.69 | 6,960 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Financial Managers | $166,780 | $80.18 | 22,460 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Marketing Managers | $165,480 | $79.56 | 10,790 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Optometrists | $161,560 | $77.67 | 1,140 | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $151,540 | — | 2,240 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Sales Managers | $150,470 | $72.34 | 16,920 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Human Resources Managers | $142,990 | $68.75 | 6,480 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Pharmacists | $138,860 | $66.76 | 11,430 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 22 | Purchasing Managers | $138,710 | $66.69 | 2,670 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $135,240 | $65.02 | 880 | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Software Developers | $134,710 | $64.76 | 58,470 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $134,670 | $64.74 | 1,340 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in North Carolina without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $106,100 | $51.01 | 6,650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $91,200 | $43.84 | 11,080 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 | 4,820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $77,270 | $37.15 | 5,650 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $76,800 | $36.92 | 21,110 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,310 | $36.21 | 9,880 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,270 | $36.19 | 32,460 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Food Service Managers | $74,080 | $35.62 | 9,420 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $70,990 | $34.13 | 49,110 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $70,140 | $33.72 | 8,890 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 | 22,240 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,270 | $32.34 | 1,090 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Construction and Building Inspectors | $66,080 | $31.77 | 6,490 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $64,820 | $31.16 | 1,440 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Transportation Security Screeners | $64,540 | $31.03 | 1,300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in North Carolina
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons | 127,540 | $31,370 | $15.08 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 116,720 | $38,230 | $18.38 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Registered Nurses | 111,120 | $84,350 | $40.56 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Cashiers | 106,440 | $28,880 | $13.89 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 92,230 | $28,570 | $13.74 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Customer Service Representatives | 89,510 | $40,240 | $19.35 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 87,510 | $35,950 | $17.29 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Cooks, Fast Food | 81,980 | $27,190 | $13.07 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Waiters and Waitresses | 71,940 | $32,150 | $15.46 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Office Clerks, General | 67,930 | $41,770 | $20.08 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Nursing Assistants | 64,010 | $38,460 | $18.49 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 12 | General and Operations Managers | 63,740 | $101,950 | $49.01 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 62,400 | $51,530 | $24.77 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 14 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 58,880 | $31,240 | $15.02 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Software Developers | 58,470 | $134,710 | $64.76 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 56,840 | $44,190 | $21.24 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 53,330 | $34,500 | $16.59 | No formal educational credential |
| 18 | Cooks, Restaurant | 50,150 | $35,400 | $17.02 | No formal educational credential |
| 19 | Accountants and Auditors | 49,270 | $82,050 | $39.45 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 49,110 | $70,990 | $34.13 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in North Carolina
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 6.6× | 2,730 | $36,700 |
| 2 | Upholsterers | 6.3× | 4,050 | $50,600 |
| 3 | Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 6.0× | 4,190 | $36,580 |
| 4 | Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | 5.8× | 980 | $37,610 |
| 5 | Tire Builders | 5.7× | 3,750 | $63,950 |
| 6 | Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | 5.5× | 1,060 | $47,910 |
| 7 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 4.8× | 1,980 | $40,090 |
| 8 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | 4.3× | 1,590 | $34,830 |
| 9 | Cooks, Fast Food | 4.0× | 81,980 | $27,190 |
| 10 | Pipelayers | 3.6× | 3,830 | $47,220 |
| 11 | Farm and Home Management Educators | 3.5× | 910 | $64,280 |
| 12 | Helpers--Electricians | 3.4× | 6,770 | $39,880 |
What 135 careers pay in North Carolina
Click a heading to sort
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | — | — | $391,490 | 980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | $367,350 | 17 | $389,447 | $328,730 | 800 |
| Neurologist | $325,550 | 13 | $345,133 | $248,560 | 180 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $323,630 | 24 | $343,097 | $358,550 | 560 |
| Pathologist | $248,940 | 24 | $263,915 | $312,400 | 340 |
| Orthodontist | $224,990 | 15 | $238,524 | $289,140 | 160 |
| CRNA | $224,610 | 31 | $238,121 | $236,590 | 3,340 |
| Dentist | $207,000 | 7 | $219,452 | $170,950 | 4,140 |
| Pediatrician | $183,550 | 37 | $194,591 | $210,040 | 740 |
| Psychiatrist | $168,880 | 42 | $179,039 | $281,870 | 620 |
| Marketing Manager | $165,480 | 13 | $175,434 | $166,790 | 10,790 |
| Optometrist | $161,560 | 3 | $171,278 | $136,570 | 1,140 |
| Airline Pilot | $151,540 | 24 | $160,656 | $232,140 | 2,240 |
| HR Manager | $142,990 | 16 | $151,591 | $149,280 | 6,480 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | 30 | $147,213 | $140,910 | 11,430 |
| Software Engineer | $134,710 | 12 | $142,813 | $135,980 | 58,470 |
| Computer Engineer | $134,670 | 17 | $142,771 | $161,740 | 1,340 |
| OB-GYN | $134,540 | 41 | $142,633 | $292,910 | 590 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $131,540 | 11 | $139,453 | $129,180 | 8,670 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | 40 | $137,141 | $135,880 | 7,490 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | 19 | $137,014 | $130,100 | 2,940 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $129,230 | 23 | $137,004 | $148,080 | 410 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | 38 | $136,749 | $132,300 | 9,800 |
| Actuary | $128,730 | 16 | $136,474 | $130,000 | 610 |
| Lawyer | $127,710 | 29 | $135,392 | $159,670 | 17,000 |
| Network Engineer | $127,320 | 27 | $134,979 | $134,050 | 8,350 |
| Commercial Pilot | $127,310 | 16 | $134,968 | $123,220 | 1,520 |
| Nurse Midwife | $126,040 | 27 | $133,622 | $134,040 | 240 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | 33 | $130,325 | $134,960 | 650 |
| Data Scientist | $119,090 | 14 | $126,254 | $120,230 | 11,430 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | 18 | $124,473 | $125,040 | 380 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $114,410 | 30 | $121,292 | $123,860 | 14,820 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | 26 | $116,755 | $120,630 | 7,090 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $107,700 | 20 | $114,178 | $109,910 | 240 |
| Construction Manager | $106,640 | 31 | $113,055 | $114,990 | 16,310 |
| Financial Analyst | $102,390 | 13 | $108,549 | $102,740 | 12,710 |
| Operations Manager | $101,950 | 28 | $108,083 | $105,770 | 63,740 |
| Project Manager | $100,820 | 20 | $106,885 | $102,320 | 36,200 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | 18 | $106,789 | $100,840 | 12,810 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | 29 | $106,779 | $104,110 | 9,560 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | 33 | $105,920 | $102,760 | 7,350 |
| Radiation Therapist | $99,250 | 28 | $105,220 | $105,310 | 710 |
| Business Analyst | $98,560 | 27 | $104,489 | $101,860 | 22,200 |
| UX Designer | $97,990 | 14 | $103,884 | $104,000 | 3,400 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | 20 | $103,736 | $98,100 | 6,690 |
| Financial Advisor | $96,880 | 25 | $102,708 | $105,070 | 12,340 |
| Web Developer | $96,610 | 13 | $102,421 | $92,650 | 2,030 |
| Architect | $95,700 | 36 | $101,457 | $99,280 | 2,980 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $94,790 | 27 | $100,492 | $109,370 | 920 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | 42 | $98,531 | $100,330 | 4,490 |
| Psychologist | $92,130 | 27 | $97,672 | $100,580 | 2,770 |
| Meteorologist | $91,560 | 31 | $97,068 | $99,070 | 170 |
| Chiropractor | $91,540 | 7 | $97,046 | $79,200 | 1,020 |
| Audiologist | $88,920 | 37 | $94,269 | $95,780 | 450 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $86,460 | 31 | $91,661 | $97,870 | 5,600 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $86,010 | 34 | $91,184 | $96,590 | 2,970 |
| MRI Technician | $85,120 | 35 | $90,240 | $95,480 | 1,180 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $84,350 | 33 | $89,424 | $97,550 | 111,120 |
| School Principal | $83,180 | 49 | $88,184 | $105,870 | 11,220 |
| Accountant | $82,050 | 16 | $86,986 | $83,680 | 49,270 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | 29 | $84,908 | $82,280 | 4,630 |
| Lineman | $77,270 | 43 | $81,918 | $95,320 | 5,650 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $76,980 | 27 | $81,611 | $79,870 | 4,700 |
| Loan Officer | $75,920 | 26 | $80,487 | $76,690 | 10,700 |
| Claims Adjuster | $75,310 | 34 | $79,840 | $78,000 | 9,880 |
| Radiology Technician | $74,450 | 37 | $78,928 | $80,110 | 9,250 |
| Court Reporter | $73,510 | 14 | $77,932 | $72,420 | 110 |
| School Psychologist | $73,220 | 43 | $77,624 | $95,990 | 1,540 |
| HR Specialist | $73,070 | 20 | $77,465 | $75,940 | 31,140 |
| Nutritionist | $67,560 | 38 | $71,624 | $76,400 | 2,780 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | 18 | $71,603 | $68,380 | 3,280 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $64,620 | 40 | $68,507 | $76,780 | 350 |
| TSA Officer | $64,540 | 20 | $68,422 | $66,770 | 1,300 |
| Crane Operator | $64,480 | 30 | $68,359 | $68,080 | 1,050 |
| Detective | $63,280 | 47 | $67,086 | $93,790 | 3,360 |
| LPN | $63,270 | 29 | $67,076 | $64,400 | 18,010 |
| Librarian | $61,420 | 35 | $65,115 | $68,270 | 4,010 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | 35 | $65,093 | $67,190 | 2,610 |
| Chef | $61,130 | 29 | $64,807 | $62,470 | 4,920 |
| Surgical Technician | $60,920 | 38 | $64,585 | $64,650 | 4,400 |
| Mortician | $60,730 | 13 | $64,383 | $55,010 | 1,000 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | 22 | $64,298 | $58,450 | 2,460 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $60,650 | 34 | $64,298 | $62,930 | 13,710 |
| IT Support Specialist | $60,120 | 25 | $63,736 | $61,860 | 23,100 |
| Mail Carrier | $59,990 | 19 | $63,599 | $60,550 | 11,030 |
| Police Officer | $59,300 | 42 | $62,867 | $76,210 | 22,370 |
| Forensic Scientist | $59,240 | 36 | $62,803 | $72,060 | 520 |
| Train Conductor | $58,930 | 31 | $62,475 | $78,000 | — |
| Insurance Agent | $58,710 | 38 | $62,242 | $62,280 | 20,540 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | 29 | $61,966 | $62,960 | 5,660 |
| High School Teacher | $57,650 | 47 | $61,118 | $72,040 | 28,620 |
| School Counselor | $57,630 | 45 | $61,097 | $64,330 | 9,430 |
| Paralegal | $57,500 | 39 | $60,959 | $62,890 | 13,650 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,490 | 44 | $60,948 | $61,770 | 11,070 |
| Paramedic | $57,320 | 36 | $60,768 | $60,600 | 5,660 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,260 | 40 | $60,704 | $61,010 | 15,230 |
| Plumber | $57,080 | 44 | $60,514 | $63,800 | 14,510 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | 49 | $60,217 | $63,190 | 21,640 |
| Athletic Trainer | $56,540 | 47 | $59,941 | $62,520 | 990 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $55,490 | 39 | $58,828 | $59,350 | 10,300 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $55,460 | 44 | $58,796 | $74,310 | 1,990 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $54,930 | 46 | $58,234 | $63,970 | 42,410 |
| Private Investigator | $52,890 | 19 | $56,071 | $51,220 | 1,710 |
| Truck Driver | $51,530 | 46 | $54,630 | $58,640 | 62,400 |
| Real Estate Agent | $51,240 | 28 | $54,322 | $52,830 | 7,960 |
| Welder | $50,590 | 37 | $53,633 | $53,750 | 11,750 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,550 | 35 | $53,591 | $58,940 | 11,900 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | 12 | $53,411 | $48,070 | 11,450 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $49,620 | 35 | $52,605 | $51,140 | 6,760 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | 44 | $52,054 | $60,580 | 13,480 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,200 | 40 | $51,099 | $50,620 | 26,510 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $48,100 | 40 | $50,993 | $66,940 | 1,400 |
| Vet Tech | $47,620 | 22 | $50,484 | $47,380 | 2,580 |
| Personal Trainer | $46,450 | 21 | $49,244 | $47,160 | 10,670 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | 27 | $47,855 | $45,690 | 23,650 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $45,130 | 37 | $47,845 | $47,700 | 2,900 |
| Construction Worker | $44,720 | 39 | $47,410 | $47,120 | 35,620 |
| Garbage Collector | $44,670 | 39 | $47,357 | $49,690 | 7,250 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,530 | 32 | $47,209 | $45,750 | 17,260 |
| EMT | $44,250 | 22 | $46,912 | $44,470 | 6,680 |
| Bus Driver | $44,060 | 44 | $46,710 | $59,050 | 2,900 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | 29 | $45,936 | $45,230 | 5,410 |
| Esthetician | $39,120 | 38 | $41,473 | $45,330 | 2,680 |
| CNA | $38,460 | 36 | $40,773 | $42,260 | 64,010 |
| Cosmetologist | $38,410 | 10 | $40,720 | $35,790 | 8,490 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | 46 | $40,222 | $59,280 | 19,410 |
| Bartender | $36,470 | 18 | $38,664 | $34,340 | 20,070 |
| Nail Technician | $34,740 | 33 | $36,830 | $35,760 | 1,900 |
| Substitute Teacher | $33,780 | 38 | $35,812 | $41,670 | 20,360 |
| Barber | $31,050 | 30 | $32,918 | $38,210 | 330 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.