Matthews Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Matthews, NC: $23.40/hr median hourly wage, $48,676 median annual salary, cost of living index 87, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Matthews Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Matthews, NC is $23.40/hr, equivalent to $48,676 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.51/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $33.23/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$48,676
$23.40/hr
Cost of Living
87
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.1%
rate
Matthews, NC Overview
Population
32,678
Median Salary
$48,676
Average Salary
$54,517
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$263,000
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Job Growth
+1.3%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Matthews is located in North Carolina with a population of 32,678. The median household salary is $48,676 per year ($23.40/hour), which is $10,708 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.3%.
Matthews Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Matthews, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,676 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 | $30,179 | $14.51/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,676 | $23.40/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $69,120 | $33.23/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $86,643 | $41.65/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.
Matthews Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Matthews, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,101
$3,258.40/month · $1,503.87/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,503.87 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
$48,676
Federal Tax
-$3,661
State Tax
-$2,190
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,724
Net Pay
$39,101
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,056.33 | $48,676.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$305.09 | -$3,661.12 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$182.54 | -$2,190.42 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$251.49 | -$3,017.91 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.82 | -$705.80 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,258.40 | $39,100.75 |
Salary Comparison: Matthews vs Other Cities
See how Matthews's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthews, NC | $48,676 | 87 | $55,949 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $48,693 | 106.7 | $45,635 |
| Weston, FL | $48,657 | 96.1 | $50,632 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,700 | 86 | $56,628 |
| Winter Garden, FL | $48,624 | 105.2 | $46,221 |
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 Matthews
Matthews's cost of living index is 87 (national average = 100). Living in Matthews is 13% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$263,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,068
Annual Rent Cost
$12,816
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,101 annual take-home pay in Matthews has the purchasing power of approximately $44,943 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,676 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Matthews
Matthews's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,676.
Salary Tips for Matthews Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Matthews has a cost of living 13% below the national average. A salary of $48,676 here has the purchasing power of about $55,949 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Matthews's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,676 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 Matthews salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Matthews-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 Matthews indexed at 87.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Matthews's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $48,676 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 Matthews: 3.1%, 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 $263,000, median rent $1,068/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Matthews, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Matthews unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Matthews 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. Matthews'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 Matthews, NC?
The median hourly wage in Matthews, NC is $23.40 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $48,676 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.51/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $33.23/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Matthews, NC?
The median salary in Matthews, NC is $48,676 per year, or $23.40 per hour. The average salary is $54,517. This is $10,708 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Matthews, NC?
Matthews's cost of living index is 87 (national average = 100), meaning it is 13% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $263,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,068.
What are the best industries in Matthews?
The top industries in Matthews, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 1.3% and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,676.
How does Matthews's salary compare to other cities?
Matthews's median salary of $48,676 is 18.0% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,949.
What is the minimum wage in Matthews, NC?
The minimum wage in Matthews, 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.