North Carolina Salary Percentile
Calculator
North Carolina has a flat 4.75% income tax (reducing further in coming years) and a fast-growing economy anchored by the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill), Charlotte's financial sector, and a large manufacturing base.
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
North Carolina salary percentiles — May 2025
| Percentile | North Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29K | $31K |
| 25th | $35K | $38K |
| 50th (median)median | $48K | $51K |
| 75th | $76K | $81K |
| 90th | $121K | $129K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states for salary growth. The Research Triangle's technology and life sciences sector is raising wages well above the state median of $48K.
North Carolina salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in North Carolina?
The median annual salary in North Carolina is approximately $48K based on May 2025 BLS data. The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) and Charlotte are significantly above the state median, while rural western North Carolina and smaller metros are well below it.
Is North Carolina good for tech workers?
Yes. The Research Triangle (home to NC State, Duke, and UNC) has a strong tech and life sciences ecosystem. Companies including Cisco, SAS, Red Hat, and numerous biotech firms cluster here. Tech salaries in the Triangle run 30-40% above the state median and are growing faster than most other metros in the Southeast.
What is a good salary in Charlotte?
Charlotte is a major banking hub, home to Bank of America's headquarters and Wells Fargo's East Coast operations. A salary of $65,000-$75,000 provides comfortable single living in Charlotte. The city's cost of living is moderate — lower than Atlanta or Dallas — but rising rapidly as inbound migration drives up housing costs.
How is North Carolina reducing its income tax?
North Carolina has been progressively reducing its flat state income tax rate. Starting at 5.25% in recent years, the rate has been cut to 4.75% and is scheduled to decrease to 2.49% by 2030 under current legislation. This makes North Carolina increasingly attractive for high earners compared to neighboring states with static tax rates.
What is the average salary in North Carolina?
"Average" and "median" measure different things, but BLS reports the median: the midpoint where half of North Carolina workers earn more and half earn less. The North Carolina median is $48K, below the national median of $51K. Use the calculator above to see exactly where your salary ranks.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$46K median
Alaska
$61K median
Arizona
$50K median
Arkansas
$44K median
California
$58K median
Colorado
$60K median
Connecticut
$60K median
Delaware
$52K median
Florida
$48K median
Georgia
$48K median
Hawaii
$56K median
Idaho
$48K median
Illinois
$52K median
Indiana
$48K median
Iowa
$49K median
Kansas
$48K median
Kentucky
$47K median
Louisiana
$46K median
Maine
$51K median
Maryland
$60K median
Massachusetts
$64K median
Michigan
$49K median
Minnesota
$57K median
Mississippi
$40K median
Missouri
$48K median
Montana
$49K median
Nebraska
$49K median
Nevada
$48K median
New Hampshire
$56K median
New Jersey
$59K median
New Mexico
$47K median
New York
$60K median
North Carolina
$48K median
North Dakota
$52K median
Ohio
$49K median
Oklahoma
$46K median
Oregon
$57K median
Pennsylvania
$50K median
Rhode Island
$57K median
South Carolina
$46K median
South Dakota
$47K median
Tennessee
$47K median
Texas
$49K median
Utah
$50K median
Vermont
$56K median
Virginia
$56K median
Washington
$63K median
Washington D.C.
$92K median
West Virginia
$45K median
Wisconsin
$50K median
Wyoming
$50K median