Top Paying Jobs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
Winston-Salem, NC has 280 jobs across diverse industries. The highest-paying occupations include Nurse Anesthetists ($236,370), Optometrists ($162,090), Pediatricians, General ($162,020). The cost of living index is 92.04 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,232/month.
$139K
Avg. median salary
92.04
Cost of living index
$1,232
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Winston-Salem
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Anesthetists | Healthcare | $236K | $113.64/hr |
| 2 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $162K | $77.93/hr |
| 3 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $162K | $77.89/hr |
| 4 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $159K | $76.59/hr |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $153K | $73.38/hr |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $142K | $68.24/hr |
| 7 | Financial Managers | Management | $141K | $67.73/hr |
| 8 | Marketing Managers | Management | $138K | $66.32/hr |
| 9 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $137K | $66.1/hr |
| 10 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $136K | $/hr |
| 11 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $135K | $64.89/hr |
| 12 | Natural Sciences Managers | Management | $135K | $64.79/hr |
| 13 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $133K | $63.84/hr |
| 14 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $132K | $63.26/hr |
| 15 | Personal Financial Advisors | Business & Finance | $130K | $62.29/hr |
| 16 | Sales Managers | Management | $127K | $61.06/hr |
| 17 | Software Developers | Technology | $125K | $60.17/hr |
| 18 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $125K | $59.93/hr |
| 19 | Credit Analysts | Business & Finance | $125K | $59.86/hr |
| 20 | Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | Legal | $124K | $59.66/hr |
| 21 | Information Security Analysts | Technology | $124K | $59.47/hr |
| 22 | Public Relations Managers | Management | $123K | $59.22/hr |
| 23 | Database Architects | Technology | $123K | $59.11/hr |
| 24 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $123K | $59.11/hr |
| 25 | Lawyers | Legal | $121K | $58.28/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Winston-Salem
Cost of living vs. national average-8.0% less expensive
Studio apartment (FMR)$/mo
1-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,232/mo
3-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
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After federal and state taxes