Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Charlotte, NC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Charlotte, NC vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Charlotte, NC

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Charlotte, NC

Highest-paying jobs in Charlotte, NC

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in Charlotte, NC

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $176,840
• Natural Sciences Manager — $173,160
• Financial Manager — $172,760
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $169,960
• Marketing Manager — $166,200
• Sales Manager — $162,000
• Human Resources Manager — $158,930
• Managers, All Other — $156,020
• Purchasing Manager — $144,270
• Industrial Production Manager — $128,640
• Training and Development Manager — $127,110
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $118,100
• General and Operations Manager — $112,730
• Administrative Services Manager — $111,400
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $111,080
• Facilities Manager — $111,030
• Construction Manager — $107,200
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary — $93,720
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $89,170
• Social and Community Service Manager — $79,990
• Food Service Manager — $75,460
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $72,900
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare — $59,430

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Financial Risk Specialist — $133,530
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $106,510
• Financial Examiner — $105,240
• Project Management Specialist — $105,200
• Management Analyst — $102,920
• Credit Analyst — $100,640
• Personal Financial Advisor — $99,440
• Accountant and Auditor — $92,910
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $87,530
• Compliance Officer — $86,720
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $82,930
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $82,020
• Insurance Underwriter — $80,080
• Logistician — $79,000
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $78,680
• Human Resources Specialist — $78,330
• Loan Officer — $78,200
• Cost Estimator — $77,990
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $77,890
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $76,960
• Training and Development Specialist — $68,480
• Property Appraiser and Assessor — $66,700
• Fundraiser — $63,920
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — $59,420
• Tax Preparer — $50,350

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Database Architect — $138,870
• Software Developer — $135,920
• Computer Network Architect — $134,410
• Data Scientist — $132,460
• Information Security Analyst — $131,440
• Database Administrator — $113,890
• Computer Systems Analyst — $110,790
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $110,790
• Operations Research Analyst — $105,180
• Web Developer — $101,980
• Web and Digital Interface Designer — $94,290
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $89,990
• Computer Programmer — $84,720
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $81,990
• Computer Network Support Specialist — $75,420
• Computer User Support Specialist — $60,220

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Engineers, All Other — $118,230
• Electrical Engineer — $103,360
• Civil Engineer — $102,370
• Industrial Engineer — $102,090
• Mechanical Engineer — $101,950
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,620
• Surveyor — $76,710
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,760
• Architectural and Civil Drafter — $63,940
• Surveying and Mapping Technician — $58,480
• Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $50,250

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $117,170
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $97,440
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $91,160
• Chemist — $88,890
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $72,730
• Chemical Technician — $61,730

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Healthcare Social Worker — $66,410
• Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $62,220
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $60,950
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $59,530
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $58,090
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $56,130
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $54,820
• Health Education Specialist — $54,070
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $48,290
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $43,480

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $157,180
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $59,870

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $74,530
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $72,970
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $64,240
• Instructional Coordinator — $63,940
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $61,050
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $60,590
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $60,380
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,300
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School — $60,140
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $60,070
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $59,110
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $58,950
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $58,680
• Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors — $57,510
• Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $51,650
• Library Technician — $46,900
• Tutor — $44,320
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $41,420
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $36,480
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $32,010
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $29,730

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Technical Writer — $82,610
• Editor — $77,730
• Public Relations Specialist — $75,190
• Producer and Director — $74,850
• Interior Designer — $64,370
• Graphic Designer — $59,810
• Audio and Video Technician — $48,490
• Coach and Scout — $46,440
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $39,760
• Photographer — $36,810

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
• Dentists, General — $189,220
• Pharmacist — $150,580
• Physician Assistant — $133,140
• Nurse Practitioner — $130,310
• Veterinarian — $129,080
• Physical Therapist — $101,060
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,650
• Occupational Therapist — $98,450
• Dental Hygienist — $98,390
• Speech-Language Pathologist — $90,960
• Registered Nurse — $90,620
• Respiratory Therapist — $82,020
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $78,950
• Dietitian and Nutritionist — $74,930
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $65,140
• Surgical Technologist — $63,490
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $62,360
• Paramedic — $61,660
• Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician — $56,780
• Opticians, Dispensing — $51,620
• Medical Records Specialist — $51,110
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $48,340
• Ophthalmic Medical Technician — $47,540
• Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $46,310
• Pharmacy Technician — $46,220
• Emergency Medical Technician — $45,550
• Psychiatric Technician — $44,110
• Health Information Technologist and Medical Registrar — $42,480

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Occupational Therapy Assistant — $72,780
• Physical Therapist Assistant — $70,720
• Massage Therapist — $58,930
• Dental Assistant — $50,060
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $47,830
• Medical Assistant — $46,520
• Medical Equipment Preparer — $46,420
• Phlebotomist — $44,980
• Nursing Assistant — $39,430
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $37,780
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $33,680

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $107,150
• Private Detective and Investigator — $73,430
• Detective and Criminal Investigator — $71,460
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $65,960
• Transportation Security Screener — $64,540
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $63,190
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $54,600
• First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $49,550
• Firefighter — $38,700
• Security Guard — $35,010
• Crossing Guard and Flagger — $34,690
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $28,740

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $64,260
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,280
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,690
• Bartender — $37,390
• Cooks, Restaurant — $37,030
• Waiter and Waitress — $36,430
• Cooks, Short Order — $34,600
• Food Preparation Worker — $34,180
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $33,550
• Dishwasher — $31,920
• Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $31,440
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,550
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,470
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,880
• Cooks, Fast Food — $27,690

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $59,980
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $48,320
• Pest Control Worker — $45,250
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,630
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $35,600
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $32,240

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $51,080
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,540
• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,420
• Residential Advisor — $39,520
• Skincare Specialist — $39,120
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,530
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $34,950
• Animal Caretaker — $33,530
• Recreation Worker — $31,580
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,720
• Childcare Worker — $30,390
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,900

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $124,370
• Sales Engineer — $110,610
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $96,030
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $81,370
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $72,500
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $63,930
• Insurance Sales Agent — $62,490
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $61,850
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $49,740
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $39,770
• Parts Salesperson — $35,950
• Retail Salesperson — $33,580
• Cashier — $29,610

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $79,900
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $65,170
• Financial Clerks, All Other — $63,640
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $61,010
• Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $60,510
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $57,650
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $57,340
• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $52,570
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $51,370
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,800
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $50,520
• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping — $49,760
• Cargo and Freight Agent — $49,720
• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $49,110
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $48,780
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $48,630
• Order Clerk — $48,320
• Public Safety Telecommunicator — $48,080
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $47,440
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,800
• Teller — $45,910
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $45,650
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $45,570
• Customer Service Representative — $44,980
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $44,960
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk — $44,630
• Office Clerks, General — $44,010
• Data Entry Keyer — $41,630
• Bill and Account Collector — $40,040
• Courier and Messenger — $39,110
• Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service — $39,000
• Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan — $38,880
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $36,300
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $30,910

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

• Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse — $35,930

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,300
• Construction and Building Inspector — $75,570
• Electrician — $59,080
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $58,690
• Brickmason and Blockmason — $52,500
• Carpenter — $50,960
• Sheet Metal Worker — $50,890
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $50,870
• Highway Maintenance Worker — $49,470
• Pipelayer — $48,980
• Roofer — $48,410
• Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $48,290
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $48,200
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $46,540
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $45,900
• Construction Laborer — $45,850
• Hazardous Materials Removal Worker — $45,140
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $44,900
• Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall — $44,520
• Helpers--Electrician — $42,670

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $81,740
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $80,070
• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $78,580
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $72,600
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $66,420
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $65,530
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door — $65,170
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer — $61,590
• Medical Equipment Repairer — $61,530
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery — $60,580
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $60,300
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $59,840
• Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $59,080
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $55,790
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $53,660
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $51,000
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $48,130
• Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic — $47,840
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers — $47,570
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers — $41,630
• Tire Repairer and Changer — $35,400

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $74,080
• Tool and Die Maker — $62,440
• Machinist — $60,210
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $58,600
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $57,110
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $56,070
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $52,530
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $51,000
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $49,970
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $49,450
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $49,400
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $48,220
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $48,120
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $47,670
• Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter — $47,060
• Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $46,800
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $45,760
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $45,100
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $44,790
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $44,660
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $44,330
• Printing Press Operator — $43,590
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $42,660
• Production Workers, All Other — $42,620
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing — $42,070
• Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers — $40,640
• Helpers--Production Worker — $40,600
• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers — $40,310
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $39,680
• Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $39,530
• Food Batchmaker — $39,260
• Food Processing Workers, All Other — $38,850
• Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $36,800
• Baker — $36,580
• Sewing Machine Operator — $34,940
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $31,150

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $151,540
• Flight Attendant — $64,890
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $63,470
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $56,120
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $49,470
• Bus Drivers, School — $46,020
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $43,880
• Light Truck Driver — $42,860
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $42,830
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $38,850
• Machine Feeder and Offbearer — $38,130
• Driver/Sales Worker — $37,830
• Stocker and Order Filler — $37,440
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $37,030
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant — $35,080
• Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $33,500
• Parking Attendant — $31,470
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $31,260
• Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other — $29,410

Other cities in North Carolina

• Raleigh, NC
• Greensboro, NC
• Durham, NC
• Winston, NC
• Wilmington, NC
• Asheville, NC
• Hickory, NC
• Fayetteville, NC
• Greenville, NC
• Burlington, NC

North Carolina paycheck calculator →