Apex Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Apex, NC: $25.53/hr median hourly wage, $53,093 median annual salary, cost of living index 99.6, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Apex Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Apex, NC is $25.53/hr, equivalent to $53,093 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.83/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $36.25/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$53,093
$25.53/hr
Cost of Living
99.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.9%
rate
Apex, NC Overview
Population
73,890
Median Salary
$53,093
Average Salary
$59,464
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Rent
$1,185/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Apex is located in North Carolina with a population of 73,890. The median household salary is $53,093 per year ($25.53/hour), which is $6,291 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Apex Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Apex, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $53,093 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32,918 | $15.83/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $53,093 | $25.53/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $75,392 | $36.25/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $94,506 | $45.44/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Apex Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Apex, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$42,451
$3,537.59/month · $1,632.73/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.0%
Gross Pay
$53,093
Federal Tax
-$4,191
State Tax
-$2,389
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,062
Net Pay
$42,451
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,424.42 | $53,093.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$349.26 | -$4,191.16 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$199.10 | -$2,389.19 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$274.31 | -$3,291.77 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$64.15 | -$769.85 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,537.59 | $42,451.04 |
Salary Comparison: Apex vs Other Cities
See how Apex's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex, NC | $53,093 | 99.6 | $53,306 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hendersonville, TN | $53,072 | 88.4 | $60,036 |
| Navarre, FL | $53,116 | 100 | $53,116 |
| Glendale, CA | $53,066 | 162.4 | $32,676 |
| Oak Park, IL | $53,138 | 97.2 | $54,669 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Apex
Apex's cost of living index is 99.6 (national average = 100). Living in Apex is 0.4000000000000057% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,185
Annual Rent Cost
$14,220
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $42,451 annual take-home pay in Apex has the purchasing power of approximately $42,622 in an average-cost US area. Your $53,093 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Apex
Apex's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $53,093.
Salary Tips for Apex Workers
- Research top industries. Apex's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $53,093 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Apex salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Apex-NC metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Apex indexed at 99.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Apex's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $53,093 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina state income tax (4.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Apex: 2.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $287,000, median rent $1,185/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Apex, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Apex unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Apex QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — North Carolina — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Apex's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent North Carolina labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Apex, NC?
The median hourly wage in Apex, NC is $25.53 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $53,093 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.83/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $36.25/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Apex, NC?
The median salary in Apex, NC is $53,093 per year, or $25.53 per hour. The average salary is $59,464. This is $6,291 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Apex, NC?
Apex's cost of living index is 99.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 0.4000000000000057% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $287,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,185.
What are the best industries in Apex?
The top industries in Apex, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $53,093.
How does Apex's salary compare to other cities?
Apex's median salary of $53,093 is 10.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 99.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $53,306.
What is the minimum wage in Apex, NC?
The minimum wage in Apex, NC is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.