Training and Development Specialist Salary in Hickory, NC
Training and Development Specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $56,300 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,679 take-home, or $3,807 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median training and development specialist salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,576
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,491
- Medicare (1.45%)$816
- North Carolina income tax$1,738
- Take-home pay$45,679
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Training and Development Specialist pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,040 | $16.85 | $29,445 | $2,454 |
| 25th percentile | $49,640 | $23.87 | $40,594 | $3,383 |
| Median (50th) | $56,300 | $27.07 | $45,679 | $3,807 |
| 75th percentile | $67,910 | $32.65 | $54,404 | $4,534 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,060 | $40.89 | $65,785 | $5,482 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,300 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median training and development specialist's $45,679 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,623 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Hickory, NC has 1.2× the national concentration of training and development specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for training and development specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Hickory, NC ranks #103 of 139 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $104,770 | $75,660 | $68,518 |
| 2 | Augusta, GA | $78,610 | $60,675 | $66,021 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $89,550 | $71,828 | $64,633 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $72,120 | $57,478 | $64,609 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $76,030 | $58,670 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Des Moines, IA | $74,610 | $59,135 | $64,486 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, CT | $88,880 | $68,044 | $63,673 |
| 8 | Huntsville, AL | $76,360 | $58,996 | $63,388 |
| 103 | Hickory, NC | $56,300 | $45,679 | $51,623 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 139 metros →
Training and Development Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Fayetteville, NC — $70,750
- Durham, NC — $74,530
- Charlotte, NC — $68,480
- Raleigh, NC — $67,560
- Greensboro, NC — $62,740
- Winston, NC — $59,860
- Wilmington, NC — $62,340
- Asheville, NC — $59,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a training and development specialist make in Hickory, NC?
The median training and development specialist salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $56,300 a year, or about $27.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,640 and $67,910.
What is a training and development specialist’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $56,300 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $45,679 a year ($3,807 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,738 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a training and development specialist?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $69,280. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,623 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #103 of 139 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a training and development specialist afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median training and development specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Project Management Specialist — $85,490
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,490
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $75,450
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $69,230
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $65,460
- Human Resources Specialist — $64,700