Wake Forest Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Wake Forest, NC: $20.76/hr median hourly wage, $43,173 median annual salary, cost of living index 87.9, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Wake Forest Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Wake Forest, NC is $20.76/hr, equivalent to $43,173 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $12.87/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $29.48/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$43,173
$20.76/hr
Cost of Living
87.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Wake Forest, NC Overview
Population
50,970
Median Salary
$43,173
Average Salary
$48,354
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Rent
$1,237/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Wake Forest is located in North Carolina with a population of 50,970. The median household salary is $43,173 per year ($20.76/hour), which is $16,211 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Wake Forest Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wake Forest, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $43,173 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 | $26,767 | $12.87/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $43,173 | $20.76/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $61,306 | $29.48/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $76,848 | $36.95/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.
Wake Forest Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wake Forest, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$34,927
$2,910.56/month · $1,343.34/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.1%
Gross Pay
$43,173
Federal Tax
-$3,001
State Tax
-$1,943
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,303
Net Pay
$34,927
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,597.75 | $43,173.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$250.06 | -$3,000.76 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$161.90 | -$1,942.78 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$223.06 | -$2,676.73 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$52.17 | -$626.01 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,910.56 | $34,926.72 |
Salary Comparison: Wake Forest vs Other Cities
See how Wake Forest's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest, NC | $43,173 | 87.9 | $49,116 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Aventura, FL | $43,156 | 99.7 | $43,286 |
| Marion, OH | $43,150 | 84.8 | $50,884 |
| Fairborn, OH | $43,147 | 88.5 | $48,754 |
| Marrero, LA | $43,145 | 89.5 | $48,207 |
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 Wake Forest
Wake Forest's cost of living index is 87.9 (national average = 100). Living in Wake Forest is 12.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,237
Annual Rent Cost
$14,844
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $34,927 annual take-home pay in Wake Forest has the purchasing power of approximately $39,735 in an average-cost US area. Your $43,173 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Wake Forest
Wake Forest's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $43,173.
Salary Tips for Wake Forest Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Wake Forest has a cost of living 12.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $43,173 here has the purchasing power of about $49,116 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Wake Forest's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $43,173 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 Wake Forest salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wake Forest-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 Wake Forest indexed at 87.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wake Forest's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $43,173 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 Wake Forest: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $303,000, median rent $1,237/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wake Forest, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Wake Forest unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wake Forest 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. Wake Forest'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 Wake Forest, NC?
The median hourly wage in Wake Forest, NC is $20.76 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $43,173 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $12.87/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $29.48/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Wake Forest, NC?
The median salary in Wake Forest, NC is $43,173 per year, or $20.76 per hour. The average salary is $48,354. This is $16,211 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Wake Forest, NC?
Wake Forest's cost of living index is 87.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $303,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,237.
What are the best industries in Wake Forest?
The top industries in Wake Forest, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $43,173.
How does Wake Forest's salary compare to other cities?
Wake Forest's median salary of $43,173 is 27.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,116.
What is the minimum wage in Wake Forest, NC?
The minimum wage in Wake Forest, 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.