Rocky Mount Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Rocky Mount, NC: $21.95/hr median hourly wage, $45,647 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.
Rocky Mount Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Rocky Mount, NC is $21.95/hr, equivalent to $45,647 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $13.61/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $31.17/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$45,647
$21.95/hr
Cost of Living
89.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
Rocky Mount, NC Overview
Population
54,147
Median Salary
$45,647
Average Salary
$51,125
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$266,000
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Job Growth
+0.7%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Rocky Mount is located in North Carolina with a population of 54,147. The median household salary is $45,647 per year ($21.95/hour), which is $13,737 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.7%.
Rocky Mount Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Rocky Mount, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $45,647 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 | $28,301 | $13.61/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $45,647 | $21.95/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $64,819 | $31.17/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $81,252 | $39.07/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.
Rocky Mount Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Rocky Mount, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,803
$3,066.94/month · $1,415.51/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.4%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,415.51 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
$45,647
Federal Tax
-$3,298
State Tax
-$2,054
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,492
Net Pay
$36,803
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,803.92 | $45,647.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$274.80 | -$3,297.64 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$171.18 | -$2,054.12 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$235.84 | -$2,830.11 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$55.16 | -$661.88 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,066.94 | $36,803.25 |
Salary Comparison: Rocky Mount vs Other Cities
See how Rocky Mount's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount, NC | $45,647 | 89.5 | $51,002 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Spring Hill, TN | $45,645 | 97.1 | $47,008 |
| Saginaw, MI | $45,631 | 85.9 | $53,121 |
| Gadsden, AL | $45,614 | 80.4 | $56,734 |
| Royal Palm Beach, FL | $45,712 | 98.8 | $46,267 |
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 Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount's cost of living index is 89.5 (national average = 100). Living in Rocky Mount is 10.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$266,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,091
Annual Rent Cost
$13,092
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,803 annual take-home pay in Rocky Mount has the purchasing power of approximately $41,121 in an average-cost US area. Your $45,647 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $45,647.
Salary Tips for Rocky Mount Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Rocky Mount has a cost of living 10.5% below the national average. A salary of $45,647 here has the purchasing power of about $51,002 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Rocky Mount's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $45,647 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 Rocky Mount salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Rocky Mount-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 Rocky Mount indexed at 89.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Rocky Mount's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $45,647 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 Rocky Mount: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $266,000, median rent $1,091/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Rocky Mount, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Rocky Mount unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Rocky Mount 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. Rocky Mount'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 Rocky Mount, NC?
The median hourly wage in Rocky Mount, NC is $21.95 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $45,647 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $13.61/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $31.17/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median salary in Rocky Mount, NC is $45,647 per year, or $21.95 per hour. The average salary is $51,125. This is $13,737 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Rocky Mount, NC?
Rocky Mount'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 $266,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,091.
What are the best industries in Rocky Mount?
The top industries in Rocky Mount, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 0.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $45,647.
How does Rocky Mount's salary compare to other cities?
Rocky Mount's median salary of $45,647 is 23.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 89.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $51,002.
What is the minimum wage in Rocky Mount, NC?
The minimum wage in Rocky Mount, 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.