Wilson Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Wilson, NC: $21.20/hr median hourly wage, $44,106 median annual salary, cost of living index 94.7, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Wilson Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Wilson, NC is $21.20/hr,equivalent to $44,106 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $13.14/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $30.10/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median figures are Salario estimates: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area wage series that covers Wilson, NC.
Median Salary
$44,106
$21.20/hr
Cost of Living
94.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Wilson, NC Overview
Population
49,167
Median Salary
$44,106
Average Salary
$49,399
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Rent
$1,073/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Wilson is located in North Carolina with a population of 49,167. The median annual wage across all occupations is $44,106 ($21.20/hour, Salario estimate), which is $6,874 below the national median of $50,980. The national median is the BLS OEWS May 2025 all-occupations median annual wage. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Wilson Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wilson, NC built around the $44,106 median salary (Salario estimate). Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile. The non-median rows are Salario estimates.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $27,346 | $13.14/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $44,106 | $21.20/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $62,631 | $30.10/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $78,509 | $37.74/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) are Salario approximations of the typical all-occupations wage spread in BLS OEWS metro tables; only the median row is a published BLS value where BLS covers the metro, which is not the case here. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Wilson Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wilson, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,368
$3,030.67/month · $1,398.77/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,398.77 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
$44,106
Federal Tax
-$3,113
State Tax
-$1,251
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,374
Net Pay
$36,368
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,675.50 | $44,106.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$259.39 | -$3,112.72 |
| North Carolina State Tax (2.84% eff.) | -$104.26 | -$1,251.10 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$227.88 | -$2,734.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$53.29 | -$639.54 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,030.67 | $36,368.07 |
Salary Comparison: Wilson vs Other Cities
See how Wilson's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson, NC | $44,106 | 94.7 | $46,574 |
| National Average | $50,980 | 100 | $50,980 |
| Muncie, IN | $44,110 | 78.5 | $56,191 |
| Carlsbad, NM | $44,080 | 86 | $51,256 |
| Waterford Township, MI | $44,145 | 86 | $51,331 |
| Yuma, AZ | $44,170 | 93.5 | $47,241 |
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 Wilson
Wilson's cost of living index is 94.7 (national average = 100). Living in Wilson is 5.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,073
Annual Rent Cost
$12,876
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,368 annual take-home pay in Wilson has the purchasing power of approximately $38,403 in an average-cost US area. Your $44,106 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Wilson
Wilson's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $44,106.
Salary Tips for Wilson Workers
- Research top industries. Wilson's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $44,106 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 Wilson salary data: BLS OEWS does not publish a metropolitan-area series covering Wilson, so the median and average salary here are Salario estimates built from state and regional wage references, not BLS survey values. The entry/senior/top-10% rows and paycheck estimate are Salario calculations built on that estimate. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Wilson indexed at 94.7.
- Median salary: $44,106 annual, $21.20 hourly, Salario estimate.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina 2026 state income tax brackets and standard deduction (top rate 3.99%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Wilson: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech, based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $262,000, median rent $1,073/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wilson, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Wilson unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau, Wilson 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. Wilson'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 Harlan Voss · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026) where available · Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Wilson, NC?
The median hourly wage in Wilson, NC is estimated at $21.20 per hour (Salario model; BLS does not publish a metropolitan-area series for this city). At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $44,106 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $13.14/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $30.10/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Wilson, NC?
The median salary in Wilson, NC is $44,106 per year, or $21.20 per hour (Salario estimate). The average salary is $49,399. This is $6,874 below the BLS national median of $50,980.
What is the cost of living in Wilson, NC?
Wilson's cost of living index is 94.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $262,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,073.
What are the best industries in Wilson?
The top industries in Wilson, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $44,106.
How does Wilson's salary compare to other cities?
Wilson's median salary of $44,106 is 13.5% below the national median of $50,980. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 94.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $46,574.
What is the minimum wage in Wilson, NC?
The minimum wage in Wilson, 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.