Physical Scientists, All Other Salary
The median pay for a physical scientists, all other in North Carolina is $110,030/year ($52.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $118,746 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 18.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $110K get you in North Carolina?
About physical scientists, all others
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Physical scientists, all other pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $110K locally vs. $123K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 19.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level physical scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K. Top earners bring in $169K or more, a $107K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary by metro in North Carolina
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $128K | +17% | 370 |
| Asheville | $101K | -8% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track physical scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physical scientists, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $110K, rent takes 19.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for physical scientists, all others in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physical scientists, all others typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,739/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is physical scientists, all other a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $110K locally vs. $123K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for physical scientists, all others?
North Carolina pays $110K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — below the national median.
How much do physical scientists, all others make in North Carolina?
The median is $110,030 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,320, and experienced physical scientists, all others can clear $169,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,737/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 19.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physical scientists, all other salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median physical scientists, all other salary is worth about $118,746 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical scientists, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.