Highest paying jobs in Burlington, NC
The best paying occupations in the Burlington, NC metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 6.8% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianBurlington, NC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $350,130 | $118,670 – $428,660 | 90 |
| 2 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $166,330 | $111,600 – $318,380 | 60 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $165,490 | $107,500 – $273,780 | 150 |
| 4 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $164,770 | $97,160 – $278,500 | 80 |
| 5 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,020 | $77,960 – $297,630 | 40 |
| 6 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,870 | $78,240 – $209,090 | 30 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $150,080 | $120,800 – $213,030 | 60 |
| 8 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $135,220 | $91,290 – $302,690 | 60 |
| 9 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $134,760 | $72,090 – $305,720 | 190 |
| 10 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $131,980 | $106,960 – $163,100 | 80 |
| 11 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $130,730 | $65,970 – $165,690 | 120 |
| 12 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $129,800 | $70,720 – $205,870 | 40 |
| 13 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,740 | $63,360 – $251,950 | 200 |
| 14 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $127,570 | $80,680 – $171,700 | 270 |
| 15 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $119,650 | $77,640 – $170,910 | 30 |
| 16 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $118,590 | $72,600 – $157,520 | 100 |
| 17 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $118,130 | $65,780 – $158,030 | 50 |
| 18 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $113,200 | $102,240 – $137,060 | 50 |
| 19 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,690 | $73,820 – $186,630 | 180 |
| 20 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $112,090 | $67,300 – $221,220 | 180 |
| 21 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $110,090 | $75,860 – $201,320 | 200 |
| 22 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $104,470 | $71,730 – $161,830 | 180 |
| 23 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $104,010 | $64,570 – $171,540 | 80 |
| 24 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,690 | $60,750 – $169,720 | 110 |
| 25 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $103,140 | $59,750 – $182,100 | 50 |
| 26 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $102,120 | $49,710 – $212,790 | 100 |
| 27 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $101,120 | $74,980 – $129,370 | 100 |
| 28 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,220 | $65,920 – $153,640 | 40 |
| 29 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,350 | $73,120 – $115,790 | 70 |
| 30 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $97,210 | $80,100 – $102,800 | 100 |
| 31 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $96,300 | $55,010 – $160,410 | 80 |
| 32 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $96,290 | $67,640 – $144,510 | 100 |
| 33 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $95,870 | $65,410 – $126,920 | 190 |
| 34 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $95,870 | $67,960 – $128,720 | 80 |
| 35 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $94,250 | $47,890 – $212,680 | 900 |
| 36 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $93,290 | $53,120 – $157,400 | 50 |
| 37 | Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $87,660 | $58,240 – $140,690 | 80 |
| 38 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $84,180 | $67,710 – $124,050 | 1,080 |
| 39 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $84,030 | $49,090 – $153,540 | 100 |
| 40 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $83,370 | $55,090 – $148,580 | 250 |
| 41 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $82,640 | $49,290 – $115,270 | 80 |
| 42 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $82,530 | $49,070 – $125,270 | 80 |
| 43 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $81,050 | $56,280 – $162,660 | 120 |
| 44 | Accountants and AuditorsBachelor's degree | $80,320 | $51,830 – $130,460 | 430 |
| 45 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $79,550 | $48,620 – $94,220 | 120 |
| 46 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $79,430 | $53,620 – $121,470 | 60 |
| 47 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $79,360 | $49,990 – $184,770 | 40 |
| 48 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $78,530 | $62,110 – $102,310 | 160 |
| 49 | Social and Community Service ManagersBachelor's degree | $78,350 | $48,220 – $106,220 | 60 |
| 50 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $78,140 | $49,390 – $78,140 | 40 |