Cary Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Cary, NC: $43.27/hr median hourly wage, $90,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 110, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Cary Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Cary, NC is $43.27/hr, equivalent to $90,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $26.83/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $61.44/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$90,000
$43.27/hr
Cost of Living
110
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.2%
rate
Cary, NC Overview
Population
174,721
Median Salary
$90,000
Average Salary
$99,000
Avg Commute
24 min
Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Rent
$1,700/mo
Job Growth
+3.2%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Cary is located in North Carolina with a population of 174,721. The median household salary is $90,000 per year ($43.27/hour), which is $30,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +3.2%.
Cary Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Cary, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $90,000 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 | $55,800 | $26.83/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $90,000 | $43.27/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $127,800 | $61.44/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $160,200 | $77.02/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.
Cary Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Cary, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$68,320
$5,693.33/month · $2,627.69/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.1%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,627.69 take-home per paycheck after estimated North Carolina and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$90,000
Federal Tax
-$10,970
State Tax
-$3,825
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,885
Net Pay
$68,320
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $7,500.00 | $90,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$914.17 | -$10,970.00 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.25%) | -$318.75 | -$3,825.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$465.00 | -$5,580.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$108.75 | -$1,305.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $5,693.33 | $68,320.00 |
Salary Comparison: Cary vs Other Cities
See how Cary's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | $90,000 | 110 | $81,818 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| White Plains, NY | $90,000 | 155 | $58,065 |
| Plano, TX | $90,000 | 110 | $81,818 |
| San Mateo, CA | $89,583 | 188.2 | $47,600 |
| Washington, DC | $90,500 | 148 | $61,149 |
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 Cary
Cary's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100). Living in Cary is 10% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Annual Rent Cost
$20,400
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $68,320 annual take-home pay in Cary has the purchasing power of approximately $62,109 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $99,000 in Cary to match a $90,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Cary
Cary's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $90,000.
Salary Tips for Cary Workers
- Research top industries. Cary's top industries include Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $90,000 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 Cary salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Cary-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 Cary indexed at 110.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Cary's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $90,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina state income tax (4.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Cary: 2.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 3.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $450,000, median rent $1,700/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Cary, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Cary unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Cary 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. Cary'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 Cary, NC?
The median hourly wage in Cary, NC is $43.27 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $90,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $26.83/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $61.44/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Cary, NC?
The median salary in Cary, NC is $90,000 per year, or $43.27 per hour. The average salary is $99,000. This is $30,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Cary, NC?
Cary's cost of living index is 110 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $450,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,700.
What are the best industries in Cary?
The top industries in Cary, NC include Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 3.2% and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $90,000.
How does Cary's salary compare to other cities?
Cary's median salary of $90,000 is 51.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 110), the real purchasing power is approximately $81,818.
What is the minimum wage in Cary, NC?
The minimum wage in Cary, 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.