Salary & Cost of Living in Wilson, NC
Wilson, NC: $44,106 median salary, cost of living index 94.7, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$44,106
$21/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 household salary is $44,106 per year ($21/hour), which is $15,278 below the national median of $59,384. 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 based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $44,106 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 | $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%) 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.
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
$35,493
$2,957.74/month · $1,365.11/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.5%
Gross Pay
$44,106
Federal Tax
-$3,254
State Tax
-$1,985
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,374
Net Pay
$35,493
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,675.50 | $44,106.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$271.19 | -$3,254.22 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$165.40 | -$1,984.77 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$227.88 | -$2,734.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$53.29 | -$639.54 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,957.74 | $35,492.90 |
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 | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Warren, OH | $44,091 | 87.7 | $50,275 |
| Hamilton, OH | $44,126 | 93.9 | $46,993 |
| Carlsbad, NM | $44,080 | 86 | $51,256 |
| Waterford Township, MI | $44,145 | 86 | $51,331 |
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 $35,493 annual take-home pay in Wilson has the purchasing power of approximately $37,479 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: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wilson-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 Wilson indexed at 94.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wilson's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $44,106 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 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 Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Wilson, NC?
The median salary in Wilson, NC is $44,106 per year, or $21 per hour. The average salary is $49,399. This is $15,278 below the national median of $59,384.
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 25.7% below the national median of $59,384. 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.