Project Management Specialist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Project Management Specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $102,280 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,212 take-home, or $6,434 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,672
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,341
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,483
- North Carolina income tax$3,572
- Take-home pay$77,212
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,380 | $31.43 | $52,613 | $4,384 |
| 25th percentile | $79,030 | $38.00 | $61,783 | $5,149 |
| Median (50th) | $102,280 | $49.17 | $77,212 | $6,434 |
| 75th percentile | $134,700 | $64.76 | $98,468 | $8,206 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,970 | $80.27 | $119,237 | $9,936 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,280 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median project management specialist's $77,212 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,661 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of project management specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #27 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $135,120 | $93,527 | $84,699 |
| 4 | Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | $76,797 | $83,747 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $127,030 | $90,262 | $82,897 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $111,740 | $83,231 | $82,647 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $102,390 | $80,861 | $82,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $101,050 | $76,107 | $82,239 |
| 27 | Raleigh, NC | $102,280 | $77,212 | $78,661 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
About the job: project management specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $105,200
- Durham, NC — $104,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median project management specialist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $102,280 a year, or about $49.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,030 and $134,700.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $102,280 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $77,212 a year ($6,434 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,572 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,661 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #27 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
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- Accountant and Auditor — $81,950
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $80,390
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $78,980
- Human Resources Specialist — $74,170
- Training and Development Specialist — $67,560