Gastonia Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Gastonia, NC: $17.21/hr median hourly wage, $35,801 median annual salary, cost of living index 89.5, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Gastonia Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Gastonia, NC is $17.21/hr, equivalent to $35,801 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.67/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.44/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$35,801
$17.21/hr
Cost of Living
89.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Gastonia, NC Overview
Population
80,411
Median Salary
$35,801
Average Salary
$40,097
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$240,000
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
Job Growth
+1.3%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Gastonia is located in North Carolina with a population of 80,411. The median household salary is $35,801 per year ($17.21/hour), which is $23,583 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.3%.
Gastonia Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Gastonia, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,801 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 | $22,197 | $10.67/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,801 | $17.21/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,837 | $24.44/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,726 | $30.63/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.
Gastonia Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Gastonia, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$29,335
$2,444.59/month · $1,128.27/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.1%
Gross Pay
$35,801
Federal Tax
-$2,116
State Tax
-$1,611
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,739
Net Pay
$29,335
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,983.42 | $35,801.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$176.34 | -$2,116.12 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$134.25 | -$1,611.04 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.97 | -$2,219.66 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.26 | -$519.11 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,444.59 | $29,335.06 |
Salary Comparison: Gastonia vs Other Cities
See how Gastonia's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia, NC | $35,801 | 89.5 | $40,001 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Kissimmee, FL | $35,800 | 96.8 | $36,983 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $35,799 | 82.5 | $43,393 |
| Pawtucket, RI | $35,795 | 100.5 | $35,617 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $35,794 | 86.2 | $41,524 |
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 Gastonia
Gastonia's cost of living index is 89.5 (national average = 100). Living in Gastonia is 10.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$240,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Annual Rent Cost
$12,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $29,335 annual take-home pay in Gastonia has the purchasing power of approximately $32,777 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,801 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Gastonia
Gastonia's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,801.
Salary Tips for Gastonia Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Gastonia has a cost of living 10.5% below the national average. A salary of $35,801 here has the purchasing power of about $40,001 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Gastonia's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,801 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 Gastonia salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Gastonia-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 Gastonia indexed at 89.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Gastonia's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,801 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 Gastonia: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $240,000, median rent $1,000/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Gastonia, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Gastonia unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gastonia 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. Gastonia'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Gastonia, NC?
The median hourly wage in Gastonia, NC is $17.21 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,801 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.67/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.44/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Gastonia, NC?
The median salary in Gastonia, NC is $35,801 per year, or $17.21 per hour. The average salary is $40,097. This is $23,583 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Gastonia, NC?
Gastonia's cost of living index is 89.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $240,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,000.
What are the best industries in Gastonia?
The top industries in Gastonia, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 1.3% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,801.
How does Gastonia's salary compare to other cities?
Gastonia's median salary of $35,801 is 39.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 89.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,001.
What is the minimum wage in Gastonia, NC?
The minimum wage in Gastonia, 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.