Salary & Cost of Living in Goldsboro, NC
Goldsboro, NC: $50,634 median salary, cost of living index 90.4, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,634
$24/hr
Cost of Living
90.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Goldsboro, NC Overview
Population
33,149
Median Salary
$50,634
Average Salary
$56,710
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Rent
$1,157/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Goldsboro is located in North Carolina with a population of 33,149. The median household salary is $50,634 per year ($24/hour), which is $8,750 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Goldsboro Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Goldsboro, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,634 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 | $31,393 | $15.09/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,634 | $24.34/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $71,900 | $34.56/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $90,129 | $43.33/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.
Goldsboro Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Goldsboro, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,444
$3,370.37/month · $1,555.55/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.1%
Gross Pay
$50,634
Federal Tax
-$4,038
State Tax
-$2,279
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,874
Net Pay
$40,444
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,219.50 | $50,634.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$336.47 | -$4,037.58 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$189.88 | -$2,278.53 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$261.61 | -$3,139.31 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$61.18 | -$734.19 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,370.37 | $40,444.39 |
Salary Comparison: Goldsboro vs Other Cities
See how Goldsboro's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $50,634 | 90.4 | $56,011 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| O Fallon, IL | $50,632 | 93.3 | $54,268 |
| Algonquin, IL | $50,629 | 93 | $54,440 |
| Fortuna Foothills, AZ | $50,627 | 96.5 | $52,463 |
| Coppell, TX | $50,649 | 88 | $57,556 |
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 Goldsboro
Goldsboro's cost of living index is 90.4 (national average = 100). Living in Goldsboro is 9.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,157
Annual Rent Cost
$13,884
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,444 annual take-home pay in Goldsboro has the purchasing power of approximately $44,739 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,634 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Goldsboro
Goldsboro's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,634.
Salary Tips for Goldsboro Workers
- Research top industries. Goldsboro's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,634 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 Goldsboro salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Goldsboro-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 Goldsboro indexed at 90.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Goldsboro's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,634 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 Goldsboro: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $285,000, median rent $1,157/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Goldsboro, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Goldsboro unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Goldsboro 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. Goldsboro'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 median salary in Goldsboro, NC?
The median salary in Goldsboro, NC is $50,634 per year, or $24 per hour. The average salary is $56,710. This is $8,750 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Goldsboro, NC?
Goldsboro's cost of living index is 90.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 9.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $285,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,157.
What are the best industries in Goldsboro?
The top industries in Goldsboro, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,634.
How does Goldsboro's salary compare to other cities?
Goldsboro's median salary of $50,634 is 14.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,011.
What is the minimum wage in Goldsboro, NC?
The minimum wage in Goldsboro, 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.