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 — 2024
| Percentile | North Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14K | $15K |
| 25th | $25K | $26K |
| 50th (median)median | $56K | $59K |
| 75th | $92K | $97K |
| 90th | $138K | $145K |
| 95th | $190K | $200K |
| 99th | $332K | $350K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS 2024 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 $56K.
North Carolina salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in North Carolina?
The median annual salary in North Carolina is approximately $56K based on 2024 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.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$48K median
Alaska
$62K median
Arizona
$58K median
Arkansas
$46K median
California
$72K median
Colorado
$67K median
Connecticut
$70K median
Delaware
$62K median
Florida
$55K median
Georgia
$55K median
Hawaii
$60K median
Idaho
$52K median
Illinois
$62K median
Indiana
$52K median
Iowa
$55K median
Kansas
$52K median
Kentucky
$49K median
Louisiana
$48K median
Maine
$55K median
Maryland
$68K median
Massachusetts
$75K median
Michigan
$55K median
Minnesota
$64K median
Mississippi
$43K median
Missouri
$52K median
Montana
$50K median
Nebraska
$55K median
Nevada
$55K median
New Hampshire
$68K median
New Jersey
$70K median
New Mexico
$49K median
New York
$68K median
North Carolina
$56K median
North Dakota
$55K median
Ohio
$54K median
Oklahoma
$48K median
Oregon
$63K median
Pennsylvania
$58K median
Rhode Island
$62K median
South Carolina
$50K median
South Dakota
$48K median
Tennessee
$52K median
Texas
$58K median
Utah
$60K median
Vermont
$57K median
Virginia
$65K median
Washington
$74K median
Washington D.C.
$85K median
West Virginia
$44K median
Wisconsin
$57K median
Wyoming
$55K median