Wilmington Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Wilmington, NC: $26.44/hr median hourly wage, $55,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 100, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Wilmington Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Wilmington, NC is $26.44/hr, equivalent to $55,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $16.39/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $37.54/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$55,000
$26.44/hr
Cost of Living
100
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Wilmington, NC Overview
Population
115,451
Median Salary
$55,000
Average Salary
$61,000
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Rent
$1,300/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
6.75%
Wilmington is located in North Carolina with a population of 115,451. The median household salary is $55,000 per year ($26.44/hour), which is $4,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Wilmington Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wilmington, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,000 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 | $34,100 | $16.39/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,000 | $26.44/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $78,100 | $37.54/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $97,900 | $47.06/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.
Wilmington Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wilmington, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$44,035
$3,669.58/month · $1,693.65/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.9%
Gross Pay
$55,000
Federal Tax
-$4,420
State Tax
-$2,338
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,208
Net Pay
$44,035
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,583.33 | $55,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$368.33 | -$4,420.00 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.25%) | -$194.79 | -$2,337.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$284.17 | -$3,410.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$66.46 | -$797.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,669.58 | $44,035.00 |
Salary Comparison: Wilmington vs Other Cities
See how Wilmington's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $55,000 | 100 | $55,000 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Santa Ana, CA | $55,000 | 150 | $36,667 |
| Ontario, CA | $55,000 | 108 | $50,926 |
| New Haven, CT | $55,000 | 115 | $47,826 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $55,000 | 98 | $56,122 |
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 Wilmington
Wilmington's cost of living index is 100 (national average = 100). Wilmington's cost of living matches the national average.
Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Annual Rent Cost
$15,600
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $44,035 annual take-home pay in Wilmington has the purchasing power of approximately $44,035 in an average-cost US area. Your $55,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Wilmington
Wilmington's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,000.
Salary Tips for Wilmington Workers
- Research top industries. Wilmington's top industries include Healthcare, Tourism, Film. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,000 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 Wilmington salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wilmington-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 Wilmington indexed at 100.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wilmington's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $55,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina state income tax (4.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Wilmington: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Tourism, Film — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $320,000, median rent $1,300/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wilmington, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Wilmington unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wilmington 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. Wilmington'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 Wilmington, NC?
The median hourly wage in Wilmington, NC is $26.44 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $55,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $16.39/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $37.54/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Wilmington, NC?
The median salary in Wilmington, NC is $55,000 per year, or $26.44 per hour. The average salary is $61,000. This is $4,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, NC?
Wilmington's cost of living index is 100 (national average = 100), meaning it is equal to the cost of living compared to the national average. The median home price is $320,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,300.
What are the best industries in Wilmington?
The top industries in Wilmington, NC include Healthcare, Tourism, Film. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,000.
How does Wilmington's salary compare to other cities?
Wilmington's median salary of $55,000 is 7.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 100), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,000.
What is the minimum wage in Wilmington, NC?
The minimum wage in Wilmington, 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.