SOC 51-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic — North Carolina
North Carolina · 1 metro areas compared
At $45,760, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic, 27.8% beneath the national figure of $63,340.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,760, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic, 27.8% beneath the national figure of $63,340. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $40,840 and $56,300. The lowest tenth earn under $39,710, while the highest tenth earn more than $60,630.
Among the 15 states with published data for this occupation, North Carolina ranks 15th by median wage. Raleigh leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $45,760. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 532nd of 745 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,710 | −37.3% |
| 25th | $40,840 | −35.5% |
| Median (50th) | $45,760 | −27.8% |
| 75th | $56,300 | −11.1% |
| 90th | $60,630 | −4.3% |
| Mean | $49,100 | −22.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $45,760 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $45,760 goes as far as $48,526 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,526US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,760 a year, 27.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,710 to $60,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 15th of 15 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $45,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $45,760, or $22.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,340, so pay in North Carolina is 27.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Carolina earns more than $60,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,710 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $45,760 per year.
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.
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