Highest paying jobs in Wilmington, NC
The best paying occupations in the Wilmington, 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 3.6% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianWilmington, NC | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $298,730 | $111,570 – $663,150 | 30 |
| 2 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $252,960 | $65,110 – $423,870 | 450 |
| 3 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $218,830 | $120,630 – $266,240 | 150 |
| 4 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $207,000 | $120,760 – $300,760 | — |
| 5 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $187,380 | $73,560 – $220,610 | 170 |
| 6 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $185,720 | $98,210 – $330,890 | 220 |
| 7 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $172,320 | $72,190 – $251,900 | 40 |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $169,810 | $122,050 – $263,640 | 190 |
| 9 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $166,910 | $103,410 – $294,620 | 330 |
| 10 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $163,800 | $109,780 – $355,440 | 120 |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $160,980 | $96,070 – $238,990 | 420 |
| 12 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $153,860 | $78,350 – $277,230 | 170 |
| 13 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,150 | $93,470 – $286,730 | 510 |
| 14 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $151,790 | $105,460 – $170,860 | 480 |
| 15 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $145,730 | $88,790 – $209,920 | 60 |
| 16 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $145,170 | $61,320 – $145,170 | 230 |
| 17 | Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $144,160 | $73,200 – $171,170 | 40 |
| 18 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,960 | $79,040 – $253,930 | 130 |
| 19 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $139,410 | $67,660 – $194,390 | 50 |
| 20 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,400 | $60,700 – $265,700 | 520 |
| 21 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $131,670 | $77,370 – $210,880 | 190 |
| 22 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $131,470 | $77,640 – $180,000 | 50 |
| 23 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $131,270 | $98,760 – $155,480 | 270 |
| 24 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,690 | $75,210 – $208,050 | 270 |
| 25 | Nuclear EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,710 | $96,300 – $160,580 | 80 |
| 26 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $129,120 | $65,670 – $231,980 | 570 |
| 27 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $124,990 | $100,000 – $158,060 | 390 |
| 28 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,280 | $79,320 – $199,090 | 30 |
| 29 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $123,730 | $78,980 – $190,390 | 880 |
| 30 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $118,980 | $48,000 – $195,980 | 210 |
| 31 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $115,210 | $61,290 – $161,860 | — |
| 32 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $114,230 | $74,700 – $170,680 | 130 |
| 33 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $114,170 | $59,690 – $201,780 | 60 |
| 34 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $110,760 | $62,930 – $199,990 | 170 |
| 35 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $110,620 | $72,450 – $132,180 | 220 |
| 36 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $109,620 | $65,100 – $302,470 | 480 |
| 37 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $109,430 | $60,520 – $133,160 | 130 |
| 38 | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $107,850 | $82,930 – $134,250 | 40 |
| 39 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayPostsecondary nondegree award | $106,950 | $80,580 – $118,370 | 60 |
| 40 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,630 | $72,250 – $210,650 | 440 |
| 41 | Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $106,070 | $49,660 – $131,890 | 100 |
| 42 | Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $105,420 | $61,610 – $171,880 | 80 |
| 43 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $105,130 | $73,890 – $209,460 | 350 |
| 44 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,810 | $66,270 – $171,890 | 830 |
| 45 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,330 | $63,690 – $188,960 | 40 |
| 46 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $103,000 | $65,370 – $179,730 | 250 |
| 47 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersBachelor's degree | $102,990 | $58,100 – $164,990 | 40 |
| 48 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $102,590 | $45,760 – $292,710 | 390 |
| 49 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $101,100 | $72,510 – $164,020 | 190 |
| 50 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $99,540 | $61,990 – $142,410 | 360 |