Data vintage · May 2025 · Ranked by median annual wage
Highest-paying jobs in North Carolina
745 occupations with published wages, ranked
The highest median wage in North Carolina belongs to Surgeons, All Other, at $398,410 per year. The lowest published median is $26,030.
The 25 highest-paying occupations
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, All Other | $398,410 | 480 | |
| 2 | Dermatologists | $367,350 | 800 | |
| 3 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $339,350 | 710 | |
| 4 | Neurologists | $325,550 | 180 | |
| 5 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $323,630 | 560 | |
| 6 | Chief Executives | $314,290 | 1,930 | |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $289,780 | 1,700 | |
| 8 | Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | 14,080 | |
| 9 | Physicians, Pathologists | $248,940 | 340 | |
| 10 | Anesthesiologists | $239,200 | 980 | |
| 11 | Dentists, All Other Specialists | $225,990 | 130 | |
| 12 | Orthodontists | $224,990 | 160 | |
| 13 | Nurse Anesthetists | $224,610 | 3,340 | |
| 14 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $224,040 | — | |
| 15 | Podiatrists | $215,420 | 240 | |
| 16 | Family Medicine Physicians | $215,230 | 1,520 | |
| 17 | Dentists, General | $207,000 | 4,140 | |
| 18 | Pediatricians, General | $183,550 | 740 | |
| 19 | Physicists | $174,180 | 150 | |
| 20 | Natural Sciences Managers | $173,870 | 6,010 | |
| 21 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $172,860 | 25,650 | |
| 22 | Psychiatrists | $168,880 | 620 | |
| 23 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $167,840 | 6,960 | |
| 24 | Financial Managers | $166,780 | 22,460 | |
| 25 | Marketing Managers | $165,480 | 10,790 |
At the other end of the scale
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Shampooers | $26,030 | 90 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $26,540 | 400 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,680 | 14,120 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,190 | 81,980 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | 4,850 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,560 | 11,230 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,320 | 15,160 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 | 92,230 |
| Cashiers | $28,880 | 106,440 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,000 | 2,000 |
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.
Explore related data