Top Paying Jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 613,580 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Surgeons, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologists ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($339,350). The cost of living index is 92.66 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,284/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$149K
Avg. median salary
92.66
Cost of living index
$1,284
Median 2BR rent
11,066,019
Population
Highest paying careers in North Carolina
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Nuclear Engineers | Engineering | $132K | $63.39/hr |
| 42 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $132K | $63.24/hr |
| 43 | Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | Legal | $130K | $62.48/hr |
| 44 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $129K | $62.19/hr |
| 45 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $129K | $62.14/hr |
| 46 | Air Traffic Controllers | Transportation | $129K | $62.13/hr |
| 47 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $129K | $62.01/hr |
| 48 | Actuaries | Technology | $129K | $61.89/hr |
| 49 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Technology | $128K | $61.72/hr |
| 50 | Lawyers | Legal | $128K | $61.4/hr |
Affordability snapshot: North Carolina
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-7.3% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,284/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in North Carolina
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Asheville
$1,567/mo rentRPP 96.5
Burlington$1,348/mo rentRPP 93.2
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia$1,496/mo rentRPP 97.3
Durham-Chapel Hill$1,711/mo rentRPP 97.6
Fayetteville$932/mo rentRPP 92
Goldsboro$1,244/mo rentRPP 88.5
Greensboro-High Point$1,450/mo rentRPP 92.9
Greenville$1,014/mo rentRPP 88.4
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton$1,095/mo rentRPP 88.5
Jacksonville$1,173/mo rentRPP 92.1
Pinehurst-Southern Pines$1,358/mo rentRPP 88.3
Raleigh-Cary$1,214/mo rentRPP 98.2
Rocky Mount$1,455/mo rentRPP 88
Wilmington$1,262/mo rentRPP 96.4
Winston-Salem$1,443/mo rentRPP 92
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