Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Highest-paying jobs in Central North Carolina
438 occupations with published wages, ranked
The highest median wage in Central North Carolina belongs to Nurse Anesthetists, at $285,030 per year. The lowest published median is $16,790.
The 25 highest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Anesthetists | $285,030 | 40 | |
| 2 | Physicians, All Other | $264,260 | 310 | |
| 3 | Psychiatrists | $254,660 | 50 | |
| 4 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $208,510 | — | |
| 5 | Chief Executives | $208,020 | 40 | |
| 6 | Dentists, General | $207,000 | 140 | |
| 7 | Family Medicine Physicians | $174,990 | 100 | |
| 8 | Marketing Managers | $163,160 | 110 | |
| 9 | Optometrists | $157,380 | 40 | |
| 10 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $154,340 | 150 | |
| 11 | Natural Sciences Managers | $153,140 | 70 | |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $146,480 | 270 | |
| 13 | Psychologists, All Other | $142,600 | 40 | |
| 14 | Pharmacists | $132,130 | 510 | |
| 15 | Nurse Practitioners | $126,670 | 260 | |
| 16 | Electrical Engineers | $126,030 | 120 | |
| 17 | Financial Managers | $123,550 | 420 | |
| 18 | Software Developers | $123,490 | 340 | |
| 19 | Veterinarians | $119,930 | 90 | |
| 20 | Purchasing Managers | $118,930 | 80 | |
| 21 | Industrial Production Managers | $117,620 | 700 | |
| 22 | Human Resources Managers | $116,770 | 170 | |
| 23 | Physician Assistants | $114,990 | 340 | |
| 24 | Facilities Managers | $111,500 | 190 | |
| 25 | Training and Development Managers | $111,130 | 30 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $16,790 | 40 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $20,800 | 570 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,210 | 420 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,660 | 250 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,690 | 5,070 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,210 | 110 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $25,900 | 6,080 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,370 | 440 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $26,430 | 760 |
| Dishwashers | $27,190 | 320 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Rankings cover only occupations for which a median wage was published; occupations the survey suppressed do not appear. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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