May 2025 · Metropolitan area · BLS OEWS
Salaries in Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
472 occupations
Across 472 occupations with published wages in Western North Carolina, emergency medicine physicians record the highest median at $420,440 per year.
Highest-paying occupations in Western North Carolina
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $420,440 | — | |
| 2 | Physicians, All Other | $371,190 | 490 | |
| 3 | Nurse Anesthetists | $270,400 | 70 | |
| 4 | Dentists, General | $213,190 | 200 | |
| 5 | Chief Executives | $203,790 | 60 | |
| 6 | Family Medicine Physicians | $187,660 | 150 | |
| 7 | Psychiatrists | $155,400 | 30 | |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $153,290 | 130 | |
| 9 | Optometrists | $148,840 | 70 | |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $146,610 | 170 | |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $146,360 | 420 | |
| 12 | Fundraising Managers | $140,140 | 60 | |
| 13 | Pharmacists | $132,130 | 580 | |
| 14 | Purchasing Managers | $124,340 | 70 | |
| 15 | Software Developers | $124,010 | 610 | |
| 16 | Computer Network Architects | $124,000 | 170 | |
| 17 | Nurse Practitioners | $123,770 | 420 | |
| 18 | Financial Managers | $122,480 | 560 | |
| 19 | Veterinarians | $119,320 | 150 | |
| 20 | Electrical Engineers | $118,870 | 140 | |
| 21 | Database Architects | $118,570 | 50 | |
| 22 | Human Resources Managers | $118,150 | 170 | |
| 23 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $116,150 | 60 | |
| 24 | Physician Assistants | $115,460 | 340 | |
| 25 | Industrial Production Managers | $114,300 | 560 |
Largest occupations by employment
| Occupation | Jobs | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 8,030 | $30,490 |
| Cashiers | 7,720 | $28,700 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 5,500 | $36,370 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 5,200 | $27,860 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 5,180 | $29,160 |
| Registered Nurses | 4,760 | $82,100 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 4,350 | $24,260 |
| Nursing Assistants | 4,150 | $37,340 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 4,030 | $36,340 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 3,930 | $32,150 |
Lowest-paying occupations
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $22,660 | 30 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $24,260 | 4,350 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,170 | 240 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,130 | 1,110 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $26,540 | 110 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,900 | 980 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,340 | 490 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,860 | 5,200 |
| Parts Salespersons | $28,160 | 680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,370 | 260 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.