SOC 29-1222 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicians, Pathologists — North Carolina
North Carolina · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in North Carolina is $248,940 per year, 20.3% below the national median of $312,400.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in North Carolina is $248,940 per year, 20.3% below the national median of $312,400. Half of workers earn between $248,940 and $355,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $220,330 and the ninetieth at $420,870.
Employment stands at 340, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. North Carolina ranks number 24th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $272,300. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 9th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $220,330 | −29.5% |
| 25th | $248,940 | −20.3% |
| Median (50th) | $248,940 | −20.3% |
| 75th | $355,250 | +13.7% |
| 90th | $420,870 | +34.7% |
| Mean | $285,200 | −8.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $248,940 goes as far as $263,987 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$248,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$263,987US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $248,940 a year, 20.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $220,330 to $420,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 24th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $272,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $248,940, or $119.69 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 $312,400, so pay in North Carolina is 20.3% 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 $420,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $220,330 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 Durham, at $272,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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