Physicians, Pathologists Salary
The median pay for a physicians, pathologists in North Carolina is $248,940/year ($119.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $220K at the entry level to $421K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $268,660 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 8.5% 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 $249K get you in North Carolina?
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for physicians, pathologists in North Carolina runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $312K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 9% 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. Lower pay, lower costs, North Carolina can be a reasonable trade-off for physicians, pathologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level physicians, pathologists (10th percentile) start around $220K. Mid-career wages sit at $249K. Top earners bring in $421K or more, a $201K spread from bottom to top.
Physicians, Pathologists salary by metro in North Carolina
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $272K | +9% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a physicians, pathologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $249K, rent takes 9% 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 physicians, pathologists in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new physicians, pathologists typically earn — is $220K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $13,220/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 10% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is physicians, pathologist a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $249K here vs. $312K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for physicians, pathologists?
North Carolina pays $249K median vs. the U.S. average of $312K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $269K — below the national median.
How much do physicians, pathologists make in North Carolina?
The median is $248,940 a year, that works out to about $120 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $220,330, and experienced physicians, pathologists can clear $420,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $249K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $14,237/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicians, pathologists 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 physicians, pathologists salary is worth about $268,660 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicians, pathologists 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.