Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
63 Highest Paying Jobs in Raleigh, NC (2026)
The highest-paying job in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $218,830 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 63 tracked occupations the average median is $108,045, with 35 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 99.8 (national average = 100), so a $108,045 nominal salary equals $108,262 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 63 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Raleigh, NC, NC, from BLS OEWS data. Raleigh, NC's cost-of-living index runs 99.8 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Raleigh, NC, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Raleigh, NC
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Raleigh, NC's cost-of-living index of 99.8 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $218,830 · 10th–90th $197,210–$283,640 · 0 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Raleigh, NC earn $218,830 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $283,640.
Median $214,680 · 10th–90th $100,250–$321,330 · 220 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Raleigh, NC earn $214,680 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $321,330.
Median $207,380 · 10th–90th $132,880–$378,960 · 1,000 jobs in metro
Dentists in Raleigh, NC earn $207,380 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $378,960.
Median $173,960 · 10th–90th $106,810–$283,510 · 6,010 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Raleigh, NC earn $173,960 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $283,510.
Median $167,640 · 10th–90th $102,970–$277,320 · 2,390 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Raleigh, NC earn $167,640 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $277,320.
Median $163,520 · 10th–90th $75,610–$303,060 · 3,280 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Raleigh, NC earn $163,520 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $303,060.
Median $163,290 · 10th–90th $100,240–$213,860 · 240 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Raleigh, NC earn $163,290 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $213,860.
Median $163,130 · 10th–90th $100,920–$309,290 · 3,690 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Raleigh, NC earn $163,130 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $309,290.
Median $152,880 · 10th–90th $75,420–$210,350 · 210 jobs in metro
Statisticians in Raleigh, NC earn $152,880 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $210,350.
Median $144,190 · 10th–90th $93,220–$264,980 · 1,080 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Raleigh, NC earn $144,190 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $264,980.
Full Ranking (63 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $218,830 | $197,210–$283,640 | $219,269 | 0 |
| 2 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $214,680 | $100,250–$321,330 | $215,110 | 220 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $207,380 | $132,880–$378,960 | $207,796 | 1,000 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $173,960 | $106,810–$283,510 | $174,309 | 6,010 |
| 5 | Marketing Manager | Management | $167,640 | $102,970–$277,320 | $167,976 | 2,390 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $163,520 | $75,610–$303,060 | $163,848 | 3,280 |
| 7 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $163,290 | $100,240–$213,860 | $163,617 | 240 |
| 8 | Financial Manager | Finance | $163,130 | $100,920–$309,290 | $163,457 | 3,690 |
| 9 | Statistician | Technology | $152,880 | $75,420–$210,350 | $153,186 | 210 |
| 10 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $144,190 | $93,220–$264,980 | $144,479 | 1,080 |
| 11 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $143,640 | $78,870–$168,050 | $143,928 | 2,510 |
| 12 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $133,120 | $101,720–$165,060 | $133,387 | 1,730 |
| 13 | Software Developer | Technology | $132,770 | $80,080–$185,110 | $133,036 | 12,580 |
| 14 | Lawyer | Legal | $131,920 | $79,550–$331,770 | $132,184 | 4,350 |
| 15 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $130,350 | $79,830–$213,960 | $130,611 | 520 |
| 16 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $130,240 | $73,380–$221,050 | $130,501 | 1,500 |
| 17 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $128,370 | $128,370–$182,000 | $128,627 | 280 |
| 18 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $128,150 | $103,200–$170,520 | $128,407 | 1,510 |
| 19 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $124,300 | $105,730–$156,000 | $124,549 | 1,220 |
| 20 | Database Architect | Technology | $122,950 | $76,360–$163,550 | $123,196 | 510 |
| 21 | Data Scientist | Technology | $120,710 | $72,190–$180,850 | $120,952 | 1,990 |
| 22 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $120,640 | $74,540–$173,910 | $120,882 | 2,190 |
| 23 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $114,940 | $56,020–$268,030 | $115,170 | 9,520 |
| 24 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $113,710 | $69,670–$248,570 | $113,938 | 2,070 |
| 25 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $110,800 | $65,970–$170,750 | $111,022 | 1,760 |
| 26 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $110,030 | $40,920–$193,540 | $110,251 | 3,620 |
| 27 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $108,480 | $78,510–$167,280 | $108,697 | 4,530 |
| 28 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $104,910 | $63,130–$163,180 | $105,120 | 970 |
| 29 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $104,780 | $49,760–$558,250 | $104,990 | 2,340 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,030 | $78,470–$152,010 | $104,238 | 1,710 |
| 31 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $103,820 | $42,480–$222,010 | $104,028 | 300 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $103,380 | $60,650–$161,220 | $103,587 | 2,730 |
| 33 | Web Developer | Technology | $102,860 | $58,860–$170,680 | $103,066 | 770 |
| 34 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $101,440 | $74,170–$163,710 | $101,643 | 4,640 |
| 35 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $100,000 | $59,220–$160,170 | $100,200 | 1,810 |
| 36 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $99,900 | $78,490–$127,530 | $100,100 | 1,190 |
| 37 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $99,200 | $63,060–$160,710 | $99,399 | 1,380 |
| 38 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $98,800 | $74,940–$105,730 | $98,998 | 1,220 |
| 39 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $97,790 | $76,200–$149,460 | $97,986 | 80 |
| 40 | Management Analyst | Management | $96,820 | $48,870–$162,620 | $97,014 | 3,710 |
| 41 | Architect | Engineering | $91,570 | $64,760–$164,820 | $91,754 | 790 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $87,400 | $62,900–$124,090 | $87,575 | 1,050 |
| 43 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $84,830 | $72,460–$110,220 | $85,000 | 12,780 |
| 44 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $84,080 | $61,770–$121,210 | $84,248 | 680 |
| 45 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $83,630 | $49,740–$146,970 | $83,798 | 220 |
| 46 | Web Designer | Technology | $82,250 | $54,450–$138,170 | $82,415 | 430 |
| 47 | Accountant | Finance | $81,950 | $57,120–$134,220 | $82,114 | 9,190 |
| 48 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $81,100 | $60,080–$167,360 | $81,263 | 340 |
| 49 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $78,980 | $46,090–$156,400 | $79,138 | 6,470 |
| 50 | Loan Officer | Finance | $77,330 | $48,320–$127,300 | $77,485 | 1,560 |
| 51 | Writer/Author | Creative | $69,100 | $50,890–$128,740 | $69,238 | 360 |
| 52 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $68,790 | $44,540–$149,130 | $68,928 | 2,330 |
| 53 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $63,910 | $42,800–$104,320 | $64,038 | 1,450 |
| 54 | Paralegal | Legal | $61,880 | $38,690–$85,560 | $62,004 | 2,540 |
| 55 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $61,700 | $39,010–$96,430 | $61,824 | 1,040 |
| 56 | Plumber | Trades | $60,540 | $42,940–$77,610 | $60,661 | 2,810 |
| 57 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $60,380 | $47,330–$75,190 | $60,501 | 4,210 |
| 58 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $60,170 | $47,500–$75,710 | $60,291 | 5,830 |
| 59 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $59,750 | $40,190–$86,490 | $59,870 | 1,810 |
| 60 | Welder | Trades | $56,940 | $40,460–$71,800 | $57,054 | 1,090 |
| 61 | Electrician | Trades | $56,800 | $45,700–$73,760 | $56,914 | 3,740 |
| 62 | Carpenter | Trades | $50,820 | $33,350–$64,830 | $50,922 | 2,680 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $50,600 | $34,650–$83,210 | $50,701 | 3,650 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC (the Research Triangle) anchors biotech, pharmaceuticals, and research-intensive technology. Below-average COL combined with above-average pay for technical roles produces strong COL-adjusted figures.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Raleigh, NC's cost-of-living index of 99.8 runs 0% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in Raleigh, NC should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($251,235) or 90th percentile ($283,640), not the $218,830 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $219K Family Medicine Physician salary in Raleigh, NC (COL 99.8) translates to $219K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Family Medicine Physician in Raleigh, NC page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Raleigh, NC is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $218,830 and a 90th-percentile reading of $283,640. The role employs roughly 0 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
35 of the 63 BLS-tracked occupations in Raleigh, NC have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 63 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Raleigh, NC is $108,045. The cost-of-living index is 99.8, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $108,262 in equivalent purchasing power.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 99.8, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Family Medicine Physician, Pediatrician, Dentist occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.