Sales Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Sales Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $129,520 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $95,134 take-home, or $7,928 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median sales engineer salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,819
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,030
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,878
- North Carolina income tax$4,659
- Take-home pay$95,134
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Sales Engineer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,570 | $38.25 | $62,141 | $5,178 |
| 25th percentile | $97,400 | $46.83 | $73,973 | $6,164 |
| Median (50th) | $129,520 | $62.27 | $95,134 | $7,928 |
| 75th percentile | $193,100 | $92.84 | $136,587 | $11,382 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,510+ | $124.76 | $179,580 | $14,965 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $129,520 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 sales engineer's $95,134 take-home pay has the buying power of $96,920 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 2.3× the national concentration of sales engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for sales engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #8 of 23 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $137,960 | $105,562 | $107,643 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $177,490 | $117,996 | $106,858 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $153,560 | $116,224 | $104,581 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $127,800 | $98,617 | $99,988 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $133,280 | $102,363 | $99,295 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $153,410 | $106,050 | $97,398 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $135,050 | $100,405 | $97,183 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $129,520 | $95,134 | $96,920 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 23 metros →
Sales Engineer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $110,610
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sales engineer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median sales engineer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $129,520 a year, or about $62.27 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,400 and $193,100.
What is a sales engineer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $129,520 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $95,134 a year ($7,928 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,659 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a sales engineer?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $124,900. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $96,920 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #8 of 23 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a sales engineer 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) — 20% of a median sales engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $102,260
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $101,680
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $72,220
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $71,990
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $68,560
- Insurance Sales Agent — $59,900
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $49,970
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $49,300
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $39,240
- Parts Salesperson — $36,490
- Retail Salesperson — $33,100
- Cashier — $29,770