Wages by Occupation in Wilmington, NC

Pay and jobs by occupation in the Wilmington, NC metropolitan area (BLS, May 2025). BLS counts about 191,280 jobs across all occupations here, with a median annual wage of $45,800 for all occupations combined. 413 occupations have a published median wage in this area.

Education and earnings of residents

Who lives in the Wilmington, NC area and what they earn, by education, from federal survey data (not a measure of any one employer or college).

39.4% of adults 25 and over in this area have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±0.8), compared with 35.7% nationally.

Prices of goods and services here run at 96.4 when the whole U.S. is 100 (housing 93.2; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024; estimates are revised). A higher number means prices are higher on average, not that the area is better or worse.

About 28,521 residents (6.5% of those 3 and older; U.S. 6.6%) are enrolled in college or graduate school, at any school (±1,487; ACS 2020-2024, Table B14001).

The unemployment rate in this area averaged 3.8% in 2025, with a labor force of about 227,690 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted annual average; estimates are model-based and revised).

39.9% of adults 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±2.1), compared with 39.6% nationally (Table B15001).

Median yearly earnings by education, adults 25 and over who have earnings

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	$27,644	$32,485
High school graduate	$38,230	$40,153
Some college or associate's degree	$44,229	$47,260
Bachelor's degree	$59,922	$70,044
Graduate or professional degree	$75,533	$90,720

Poverty rate by education, adults 25 and over

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	25.2% (±3.1)	24.2%
High school graduate	12.9% (±1.0)	14.4%
Some college or associate's degree	8.6% (±0.8)	9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	3.9% (±0.5)	4.5%

What residents with a bachelor’s degree studied

Field of first major	This area	United States
Science and engineering	33.0%	36.1%
Science and engineering related fields	9.7%	10.0%
Business	20.7%	20.1%
Education	13.2%	10.9%
Arts, humanities and other	23.4%	23.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, Tables B15003, B20004 (earnings shown only when the margin of error is at most 20% of the value), B23006 (unemployment shown only when every margin is at most 3 points), B17003 (margins of error at the 90% level; poverty shown only when every margin is at most 8 points) and C15010 (the Census Bureau’s own field groups, in a fixed order, not ranked). Describes residents of the area, not a prediction for any person; the Census Bureau has not endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice.

Wages by occupation

Occupation	Jobs	Median annual wage	Mean annual wage	Jobs per 1,000 jobs here	Concentration vs. U.S.
Accountants and Auditors	1,520	$77,920	$85,960	7.96	0.85
Administrative Services Managers	180	$98,730	$112,700	0.95	0.56
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	170	$41,960	$47,370	0.91	3.78
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	70	$58,670	$72,250	0.38	0.42
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	1,110	$21,830	$23,200	5.79	2.26
Animal Caretakers	610	$29,520	$32,020	3.19	1.86
Animal Trainers	50	$37,080	$40,790	0.24	1.98
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	80	$93,720	$98,680	0.39	0.57
Architectural and Civil Drafters	120	$66,660	$69,190	0.65	0.98
Architectural and Engineering Managers	190	$169,810	$176,290	1.01	0.71
Art Directors	40	$84,730	$91,870	0.19	0.55
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	140	$76,110	$83,720	0.73	1.21
Athletic Trainers	30	$55,980	$60,910	0.17	0.88
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$107,850	$110,190	0.19	2.92
Audio and Video Technicians	80	$43,880	$48,020	0.43	0.95
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	160	$34,930	$34,590	0.84	1.29
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	200	$50,060	$59,020	1.05	1.09
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers	50	$57,520	$54,430	0.28	2.16
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	1,130	$48,100	$53,720	5.90	1.30
Bakers	350	$34,430	$33,740	1.83	1.21
Bartenders	1,460	$37,890	$43,400	7.63	1.57
Bill and Account Collectors	130	$44,720	$45,040	0.66	0.64
Billing and Posting Clerks	240	$44,310	$45,930	1.24	0.48
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	90	$84,350	$94,750	0.47	1.44
Biological Scientists, All Other	130	$97,310	$100,730	0.68	1.89
Biological Technicians	70	$62,960	$63,450	0.37	0.83
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	2,300	$45,730	$47,260	12.05	1.36
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	80	$48,200	$50,320	0.44	1.30
Broadcast Technicians	40	$41,000	$48,810	0.22	1.63
Budget Analysts	90	$59,050	$69,150	0.47	1.57
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	360	$55,560	$57,440	1.87	1.00
Bus Drivers, School	140	$36,490	$36,780	0.72	0.28
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	1,040	$72,640	$80,500	5.44	0.78
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	170	$187,380	$155,190	0.90	1.71
Butchers and Meat Cutters	150	$38,790	$41,950	0.78	0.88
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	400	$70,800	$77,080	2.09	0.66
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	100	$47,520	$47,970	0.51	1.02
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	150	$63,190	$72,880	0.79	3.34
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	—	$47,830	$52,060	—	—
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	230	$62,060	$57,440	1.19	1.62
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	80	$56,130	$54,440	0.44	0.61
Cargo and Freight Agents	200	$39,790	$47,730	1.04	1.66
Carpenters	640	$50,830	$51,900	3.37	0.78
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	30	$66,440	$75,700	0.16	1.77
Cashiers	4,860	$28,520	$29,010	25.40	1.28
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	150	$44,030	$44,540	0.79	0.60
Chefs and Head Cooks	270	$58,120	$61,010	1.43	1.11
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	130	$56,990	$55,100	0.67	0.74
Chemical Technicians	100	$61,200	$62,070	0.54	1.47
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$144,160	$121,720	0.21	1.62
Chemists	400	$78,130	$82,590	2.12	3.97
Chief Executives	30	$298,730	$348,500	0.18	0.14
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	530	$62,710	$63,510	2.80	1.11
Childcare Workers	480	$29,040	$30,660	2.51	0.75
Chiropractors	70	$62,230	$80,460	0.36	1.40
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	90	$61,590	$63,070	0.49	1.11
Civil Engineers	460	$94,450	$96,680	2.41	1.02
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	110	$63,470	$71,190	0.56	0.27
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	570	$31,950	$32,060	2.96	1.21
Clergy	40	$57,190	$58,010	0.20	0.54
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	70	$76,700	$89,430	0.39	0.80
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	400	$58,110	$60,340	2.10	0.98
Coaches and Scouts	300	$43,960	$53,040	1.56	0.97
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	180	$45,320	$47,190	0.94	0.92
Commercial Pilots	40	$172,320	$162,700	0.23	0.73
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$83,900	$97,790	0.20	1.06
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	100	$54,620	$55,560	0.53	0.76
Community Health Workers	60	$42,510	$47,540	0.32	0.81
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	60	$70,250	$74,320	0.33	0.45
Compliance Officers	290	$74,430	$79,870	1.49	0.56
Computer and Information Systems Managers	420	$160,980	$168,640	2.22	0.51
Computer Network Architects	130	$114,230	$121,440	0.69	0.60
Computer Network Support Specialists	—	$64,400	$73,590	—	—
Computer Occupations, All Other	310	$96,350	$99,550	1.60	0.57
Computer Programmers	70	$79,530	$81,310	0.36	0.61
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	50	$139,410	$119,290	0.25	1.11
Computer Systems Analysts	290	$93,830	$99,970	1.53	0.46
Computer User Support Specialists	690	$61,240	$64,140	3.60	0.78
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	110	$45,040	$45,940	0.58	1.37
Construction and Building Inspectors	290	$63,670	$67,710	1.53	1.62
Construction Laborers	1,870	$46,090	$48,130	9.77	1.39
Construction Managers	830	$103,810	$117,410	4.34	1.77
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	50	$53,260	$58,610	0.26	0.85
Cooks, Fast Food	3,880	$27,500	$26,470	20.30	4.92
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	360	$36,050	$35,570	1.88	0.66
Cooks, Restaurant	3,440	$34,940	$34,140	17.96	1.98
Cooks, Short Order	150	$29,620	$30,790	0.76	0.85
Correctional Officers and Jailers	300	$48,810	$47,980	1.54	0.63
Cost Estimators	370	$72,900	$75,090	1.92	1.33
Counter and Rental Clerks	940	$37,900	$43,770	4.92	1.91
Couriers and Messengers	110	$37,330	$38,850	0.55	1.24
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	220	$51,140	$54,310	1.17	1.01
Crane and Tower Operators	60	$68,670	$69,620	0.30	1.09
Credit Analysts	70	$72,870	$94,160	0.35	0.84
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	160	$33,470	$34,430	0.83	1.36
Curators	40	$48,230	$53,050	0.23	2.95
Customer Service Representatives	2,850	$38,100	$41,250	14.88	0.89
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	100	$63,550	$53,000	0.50	1.73
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	40	$42,890	$43,840	0.20	0.19
Data Entry Keyers	110	$39,770	$41,280	0.60	0.74
Data Scientists	160	$93,090	$99,210	0.84	0.50
Database Architects	50	$131,470	$127,480	0.28	0.64
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	40	$36,450	$39,770	0.22	0.52
Dental Assistants	600	$51,110	$51,110	3.15	1.26
Dental Hygienists	440	$96,700	$92,880	2.30	1.61
Dental Laboratory Technicians	50	$38,990	$46,060	0.28	1.26
Dentists, General	220	$185,720	$198,130	1.14	1.43
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	210	$62,580	$78,010	1.11	1.51
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	170	$81,480	$84,900	0.87	1.51
Dietitians and Nutritionists	160	$62,080	$57,590	0.84	1.69
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	650	$27,320	$26,690	3.40	0.97
Dishwashers	770	$29,870	$29,930	4.01	1.30
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	240	$46,270	$47,070	1.24	0.95
Driver/Sales Workers	800	$33,130	$35,790	4.18	1.59
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	100	$57,540	$50,140	0.52	0.98
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	310	$82,930	$88,470	1.64	0.78
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	250	$103,000	$113,070	1.33	1.14
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	90	$57,720	$62,960	0.46	0.97
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	100	$106,070	$94,630	0.51	1.29
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	80	$56,620	$54,050	0.41	0.54
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	370	$55,890	$54,290	1.93	0.85
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	80	$68,790	$73,140	0.43	0.70
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	60	$106,950	$101,640	0.32	2.43
Electrical Engineers	350	$105,130	$127,570	1.84	1.44
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	230	$63,630	$72,130	1.22	1.45
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	40	$36,410	$41,390	0.20	0.12
Electricians	910	$54,080	$55,260	4.77	0.98
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	40	$92,650	$103,180	0.19	0.31
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	1,920	$48,240	$52,020	10.03	1.12
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	120	$52,770	$49,640	0.63	0.63
Emergency Medical Technicians	240	$53,850	$47,900	1.26	1.09
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	30	$78,870	$78,270	0.18	0.46
Engineers, All Other	—	$115,210	$116,070	—	—
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	110	$83,910	$88,400	0.56	1.52
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	80	$82,460	$92,970	0.40	1.62
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	70	$46,830	$49,390	0.37	1.67
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	260	$65,360	$71,500	1.38	2.40
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	340	$62,930	$65,170	1.76	0.60
Exercise Physiologists	40	$55,200	$56,140	0.23	4.24
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	550	$46,450	$51,390	2.88	1.39
Facilities Managers	170	$110,760	$122,540	0.88	0.88
Family Medicine Physicians	—	$207,000	$204,990	—	—
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	110	$31,870	$33,430	0.60	0.35
Fast Food and Counter Workers	5,100	$27,460	$28,200	26.66	1.08
File Clerks	60	$39,290	$42,100	0.32	0.67
Financial and Investment Analysts	260	$87,970	$94,230	1.34	0.58
Financial Managers	510	$152,150	$174,420	2.67	0.49
Financial Specialists, All Other	120	$80,230	$97,660	0.64	0.75
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	80	$45,100	$50,730	0.43	4.82
Firefighters	780	$35,580	$39,320	4.06	1.83
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	1,710	$70,820	$72,480	8.95	1.71
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	30	$68,440	$68,580	0.18	0.51
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	140	$48,990	$52,320	0.73	1.09
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	330	$61,390	$69,290	1.70	2.67
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	2,210	$44,360	$45,910	11.55	1.47
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	280	$44,650	$47,330	1.49	1.29
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	240	$56,600	$56,860	1.26	1.49
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	880	$73,160	$77,080	4.60	1.16
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	370	$76,700	$88,510	1.93	1.40
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	1,250	$60,430	$65,120	6.51	0.70
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	180	$45,410	$47,530	0.94	1.28
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	150	$94,670	$93,920	0.81	0.81
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	590	$72,310	$78,640	3.08	0.71
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	1,950	$48,270	$54,010	10.19	1.41
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	90	$68,940	$68,830	0.47	0.90
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	890	$59,660	$63,290	4.63	1.15
Floral Designers	50	$39,740	$39,680	0.27	1.05
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	280	$30,350	$29,710	1.48	2.73
Food Preparation Workers	1,380	$31,830	$33,110	7.24	1.26
Food Processing Workers, All Other	40	$36,470	$37,710	0.23	0.55
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	410	$34,810	$33,350	2.13	1.13
Food Service Managers	450	$71,710	$72,860	2.33	1.52
Fundraisers	110	$67,780	$70,540	0.57	0.80
Funeral Attendants	40	$28,650	$32,920	0.18	0.92
General and Operations Managers	2,690	$90,270	$118,350	14.07	0.62
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	40	$102,990	$108,200	0.23	1.51
Glaziers	60	$46,000	$48,140	0.29	0.77
Graphic Designers	260	$54,720	$64,160	1.36	1.07
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	40	$38,720	$46,350	0.21	0.49
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	500	$37,230	$42,040	2.59	1.32
Health Education Specialists	70	$56,350	$63,270	0.36	0.85
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	130	$109,430	$97,340	0.65	0.46
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	270	$45,060	$49,190	1.40	1.19
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	40	$43,270	$54,900	0.19	0.83
Healthcare Social Workers	160	$61,290	$62,670	0.83	0.69
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	60	$44,520	$46,750	0.31	0.45
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	710	$49,860	$52,560	3.71	1.41
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	1,840	$48,850	$51,690	9.61	0.72
Helpers--Carpenters	40	$40,650	$40,320	0.20	1.42
Helpers--Electricians	320	$37,720	$39,100	1.67	4.08
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	210	$37,200	$34,970	1.11	1.80
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	150	$40,670	$41,020	0.76	2.67
Helpers--Production Workers	60	$38,440	$39,640	0.29	0.27
Highway Maintenance Workers	110	$48,840	$47,970	0.59	0.60
Home Appliance Repairers	40	$46,530	$47,600	0.23	1.14
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	2,650	$31,540	$32,500	13.86	0.50
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	1,070	$28,250	$28,740	5.62	2.02
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	370	$29,520	$30,370	1.92	1.14
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	60	$47,420	$47,890	0.33	0.56
Human Resources Managers	130	$140,960	$157,820	0.69	0.49
Human Resources Specialists	850	$64,440	$69,910	4.45	0.76
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	120	$78,740	$76,880	0.62	1.27
Industrial Engineers	360	$99,540	$105,700	1.89	0.80
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	270	$64,440	$65,200	1.42	0.50
Industrial Production Managers	270	$130,690	$140,450	1.43	0.91
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	350	$42,210	$43,980	1.81	0.36
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	160	$29,740	$38,210	0.86	0.99
Information Security Analysts	230	$145,170	$126,760	1.22	0.99
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	370	$57,840	$62,140	1.92	0.50
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	190	$44,390	$46,520	1.01	0.89
Instructional Coordinators	300	$64,020	$66,140	1.57	1.07
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	90	$37,720	$37,920	0.49	1.71
Insulation Workers, Mechanical	60	$45,730	$47,660	0.29	1.78
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	70	$44,670	$48,620	0.35	0.26
Insurance Sales Agents	660	$59,880	$75,570	3.45	1.12
Interior Designers	140	$47,750	$54,490	0.71	1.54
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	80	$38,150	$39,400	0.40	0.42
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	1,890	$35,080	$34,650	9.88	0.69
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	30	$60,540	$58,000	0.17	1.16
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	3,310	$37,160	$41,640	17.31	0.91
Landscape Architects	50	$87,440	$79,530	0.28	2.21
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	2,190	$36,670	$37,950	11.43	1.87
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	230	$31,200	$31,150	1.20	0.94
Lawyers	480	$109,620	$142,470	2.52	0.52
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	160	$63,030	$63,520	0.81	0.94
Library Assistants, Clerical	60	$37,500	$36,720	0.32	0.57
Library Technicians	70	$48,280	$49,520	0.39	0.89
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	790	$63,390	$62,400	4.12	0.99
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	40	$63,520	$64,580	0.18	0.39
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	260	$27,070	$28,210	1.35	1.33
Light Truck Drivers	1,170	$39,070	$41,790	6.10	0.96
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	210	$58,860	$58,220	1.10	1.04
Loan Officers	520	$82,340	$103,370	2.70	1.53
Lodging Managers	70	$62,180	$66,840	0.35	1.28
Logisticians	200	$77,850	$85,580	1.04	0.64
Machinists	180	$62,810	$61,550	0.94	0.51
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	70	$83,650	$87,040	0.35	1.24
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	1,520	$30,300	$32,620	7.94	1.44
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	40	$38,000	$37,570	0.19	0.53
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	1,700	$45,830	$46,730	8.88	0.90
Management Analysts	610	$86,960	$113,860	3.17	0.55
Managers, All Other	570	$129,120	$138,990	2.97	0.74
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	880	$69,480	$80,060	4.60	0.80
Marketing Managers	170	$153,860	$163,800	0.89	0.35
Massage Therapists	120	$81,390	$68,040	0.60	0.95
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	80	$78,770	$95,870	0.41	1.32
Mechanical Drafters	—	$50,150	$59,420	—	—
Mechanical Engineers	190	$101,100	$109,790	0.99	0.52
Medical and Health Services Managers	440	$106,630	$133,360	2.28	0.59
Medical Assistants	1,150	$42,000	$42,240	6.02	1.15
Medical Equipment Preparers	130	$40,580	$44,310	0.67	1.34
Medical Equipment Repairers	50	$60,890	$59,200	0.25	0.59
Medical Records Specialists	220	$42,930	$54,530	1.13	0.90
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	360	$99,070	$111,820	1.86	1.68
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	2,700	$40,040	$42,670	14.13	2.28
Medical Transcriptionists	30	$49,590	$44,860	0.17	0.62
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	160	$50,060	$57,920	0.83	0.90
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	200	$54,990	$57,060	1.04	1.22
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	280	$37,310	$40,550	1.49	1.40
Meter Readers, Utilities	50	$37,630	$39,220	0.26	2.11
Microbiologists	—	$80,470	$94,920	—	—
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	680	$52,310	$53,240	3.54	0.89
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	930	$36,640	$39,650	4.84	0.54
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers	50	$44,970	$49,450	0.24	1.30
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	130	$50,390	$49,030	0.66	1.08
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	250	$68,700	$68,730	1.32	1.16
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	50	$35,580	$39,540	0.26	0.27
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	70	$29,070	$29,900	0.35	1.15
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	130	$58,240	$56,590	0.70	4.67
Natural Sciences Managers	330	$166,910	$182,550	1.73	2.48
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	430	$99,060	$101,810	2.23	1.11
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	60	$39,800	$46,880	0.34	1.33
Nuclear Engineers	80	$129,710	$129,880	0.41	4.15
Nuclear Medicine Technologists	30	$96,620	$92,730	0.17	1.51
Nurse Anesthetists	150	$218,830	$222,520	0.77	2.31
Nurse Practitioners	390	$124,990	$125,040	2.06	0.99
Nursing Assistants	2,390	$37,710	$38,100	12.47	1.34
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	220	$110,620	$101,050	1.13	2.25
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	150	$85,230	$92,080	0.80	0.88
Occupational Therapists	260	$86,420	$89,390	1.38	1.33
Occupational Therapy Assistants	80	$63,440	$68,020	0.43	1.29
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other	200	$47,550	$48,220	1.02	0.83
Office Clerks, General	2,720	$39,380	$40,800	14.23	0.90
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	30	$41,590	$39,280	0.17	1.03
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	790	$47,910	$49,990	4.13	1.34
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	160	$45,530	$45,010	0.86	1.88
Opticians, Dispensing	130	$45,400	$52,140	0.67	1.42
Optometrists	120	$163,800	$204,680	0.63	2.29
Order Clerks	110	$44,880	$45,360	0.56	1.16
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	90	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more	0.49	5.44
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	120	$45,570	$45,760	0.65	2.81
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	150	$38,850	$39,660	0.80	0.33
Packers and Packagers, Hand	310	$30,460	$32,120	1.61	0.45
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	220	$42,850	$41,540	1.15	0.79
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	580	$56,060	$56,840	3.03	1.20
Paramedics	210	$61,060	$60,210	1.12	1.73
Parking Attendants	120	$30,940	$32,140	0.64	0.72
Parts Salespersons	400	$35,390	$39,250	2.08	1.20
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	90	$47,160	$47,910	0.45	1.69
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	130	$51,480	$53,490	0.66	0.67
Personal Financial Advisors	390	$102,590	$140,370	2.04	1.19
Pest Control Workers	360	$37,920	$42,210	1.87	2.83
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	30	$47,480	$43,620	0.16	0.92
Pharmacists	480	$151,790	$144,900	2.48	1.20
Pharmacy Aides	40	$37,040	$38,780	0.23	0.91
Pharmacy Technicians	670	$44,300	$44,420	3.53	1.16
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	30	$90,750	$93,790	0.17	1.25
Phlebotomists	170	$39,150	$40,870	0.91	0.98
Photographers	80	$37,690	$46,270	0.41	1.23
Physical Therapist Aides	80	$31,510	$34,470	0.43	1.39
Physical Therapist Assistants	220	$75,820	$71,990	1.13	1.57
Physical Therapists	460	$98,770	$96,270	2.42	1.41
Physician Assistants	270	$131,270	$131,140	1.39	1.33
Physicians, All Other	450	$252,960	$256,140	2.36	1.07
Pipelayers	160	$46,130	$47,790	0.85	4.01
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	690	$56,390	$56,280	3.58	1.20
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	1,210	$53,520	$55,430	6.34	1.47
Postal Service Clerks	100	$61,570	$62,400	0.50	1.06
Postal Service Mail Carriers	580	$57,700	$60,110	3.05	1.44
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	740	$34,880	$36,490	3.85	1.25
Printing Press Operators	90	$38,780	$39,670	0.49	0.53
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	180	$59,480	$58,450	0.95	1.65
Producers and Directors	130	$61,120	$77,030	0.67	0.73
Production Workers, All Other	270	$37,940	$41,860	1.39	0.86
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	370	$49,370	$53,020	1.95	0.78
Project Management Specialists	1,220	$89,120	$95,890	6.37	0.93
Property Appraisers and Assessors	120	$69,610	$73,570	0.63	1.72
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	600	$59,010	$65,120	3.15	1.57
Protective Service Workers, All Other	30	$45,010	$44,350	0.18	0.34
Psychiatric Technicians	290	$34,200	$38,280	1.51	1.50
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	80	$105,420	$102,170	0.39	1.47
Public Relations Managers	30	$124,280	$134,330	0.16	0.34
Public Relations Specialists	340	$63,620	$72,290	1.79	0.99
Purchasing Managers	60	$145,730	$148,200	0.31	0.58
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	—	$47,040	$49,830	—	—
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	410	$67,210	$72,240	2.13	1.44
Real Estate Brokers	40	$57,850	$84,170	0.20	0.66
Real Estate Sales Agents	580	$42,260	$52,140	3.01	2.42
Receptionists and Information Clerks	1,210	$34,260	$34,990	6.33	1.08
Recreation Workers	290	$36,730	$37,140	1.53	0.72
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	260	$45,270	$43,000	1.35	1.43
Registered Nurses	5,040	$80,970	$87,900	26.36	1.21
Rehabilitation Counselors	110	$45,660	$47,620	0.59	0.98
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks	120	$38,150	$46,710	0.62	0.82
Residential Advisors	90	$37,700	$41,260	0.49	0.90
Respiratory Therapists	200	$81,020	$79,910	1.07	1.19
Retail Salespersons	6,310	$30,790	$33,970	32.97	1.32
Roofers	170	$48,740	$47,910	0.87	1.00
Sailors and Marine Oilers	60	$46,910	$47,650	0.33	1.63
Sales Engineers	60	$114,170	$126,400	0.33	0.98
Sales Managers	520	$133,400	$145,010	2.71	0.66
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	1,730	$64,520	$77,360	9.07	1.12
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	1,670	$63,510	$80,650	8.74	1.10
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	210	$118,980	$120,210	1.07	0.59
School Psychologists	80	$65,750	$68,450	0.41	1.01
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	730	$57,980	$56,660	3.79	0.55
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	2,070	$45,380	$46,790	10.80	0.98
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	640	$58,000	$93,960	3.33	1.06
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	190	$46,260	$49,270	0.98	1.77
Security Guards	960	$36,960	$42,750	5.01	0.61
Self-Enrichment Teachers	310	$37,200	$44,190	1.63	0.77
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	50	$46,320	$47,640	0.28	0.74
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	60	$45,100	$45,370	0.30	1.53
Sewing Machine Operators	110	$28,510	$32,910	0.57	0.85
Sheet Metal Workers	90	$47,390	$50,240	0.48	0.62
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	550	$39,630	$44,260	2.88	0.55
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	220	$31,270	$33,090	1.17	0.73
Skincare Specialists	120	$38,320	$52,910	0.61	1.30
Social and Community Service Managers	170	$77,860	$83,530	0.90	0.67
Social and Human Service Assistants	440	$48,280	$46,060	2.29	0.81
Social Science Research Assistants	30	$46,480	$51,330	0.18	0.92
Social Workers, All Other	40	$91,080	$81,030	0.21	0.53
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$86,010	$95,080	0.21	2.79
Software Developers	880	$123,730	$131,450	4.58	0.42
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	190	$86,200	$85,420	1.00	0.83
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	230	$49,170	$51,130	1.20	0.71
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	40	$49,110	$51,860	0.22	0.36
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	120	$51,710	$52,350	0.60	0.57
Speech-Language Pathologists	300	$82,410	$86,700	1.59	1.35
Stockers and Order Fillers	3,430	$35,300	$35,760	17.92	0.98
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	480	$48,970	$57,280	2.52	0.80
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	880	$33,780	$36,020	4.62	1.37
Surgeons, All Other	—	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more	—	—
Surgical Technologists	210	$60,900	$58,320	1.08	1.43
Surveying and Mapping Technicians	210	$50,670	$55,220	1.11	2.96
Surveyors	120	$72,160	$82,650	0.62	1.91
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	60	$67,450	$72,100	0.30	0.84
Tax Preparers	130	$52,220	$56,120	0.69	1.41
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	70	$47,030	$53,030	0.34	0.47
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	1,240	$33,030	$32,940	6.50	0.71
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	90	$47,430	$48,980	0.45	0.43
Technical Writers	70	$93,750	$101,640	0.36	1.22
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	140	$60,550	$65,350	0.75	0.83
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	290	$59,470	$60,760	1.54	2.44
Tellers	230	$40,740	$43,190	1.19	0.56
Therapists, All Other	50	$63,410	$58,940	0.26	1.81
Tire Repairers and Changers	140	$35,050	$35,980	0.73	1.04
Tour and Travel Guides	120	$32,600	$33,000	0.65	1.88
Training and Development Managers	40	$103,330	$121,490	0.23	0.74
Training and Development Specialists	540	$62,340	$67,410	2.81	0.95
Transportation Security Screeners	60	$63,130	$62,610	0.29	0.91
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	230	$97,080	$103,000	1.20	0.84
Tutors	160	$46,030	$44,850	0.85	0.75
Urban and Regional Planners	110	$68,050	$76,150	0.57	1.99
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	110	$29,520	$29,890	0.55	0.71
Veterinarians	190	$131,670	$143,920	1.01	1.88
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	510	$36,860	$37,360	2.66	3.26
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	140	$47,620	$47,600	0.73	0.88
Waiters and Waitresses	4,920	$30,610	$36,000	25.70	1.76
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	170	$60,190	$58,580	0.86	1.05
Web Developers	—	$91,480	$92,620	—	—
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	260	$55,340	$54,700	1.39	0.52
Writers and Authors	180	$47,940	$59,360	0.97	3.13

Colleges in this area

5 colleges in the federal directory have a campus in this area, listed alphabetically; MajorPays does not rank colleges. Each name links to the college’s profile.

College	Type	Level	Students, fall 2024
Brunswick Community College	Public	2-year	2,009
Cape Fear Community College	Public	2-year	14,082
College of Wilmington	Private for-profit	Less than 2-year	132
Miller-Motte College-Wilmington	Private for-profit	4-year or above	46
University of North Carolina Wilmington	Public	4-year or above	18,848

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS directory (HD 2024, core-based statistical area of the campus) and Fall Enrollment 2024 (total headcount). A count of students is the size of the college, not its quality; the Department has not endorsed this presentation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metropolitan area estimates (cross-industry, all ownerships). Wages are pay for all workers in an occupation in this area, not any one person or employer; a dash means BLS does not publish the figure (often to protect privacy or because the estimate is unreliable), and “or more” marks a wage at or above BLS’s top reporting limit. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of jobs in this area divided by its share nationally (1.00 = the same share as the U.S.; above 1.00 = a larger share); it says nothing about pay or openings. Jobs per 1,000 is the occupation's jobs per 1,000 jobs of all kinds in this area. Occupations that BLS reports only as hourly wages are not listed, and BLS shows some wages above its top limit as plain numbers while others read “or more”. Occupations are listed alphabetically; click a heading to sort. MajorPays does not rank places or occupations. MajorPays selected and reorganized these figures; the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not approved or endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice. See Data sources.

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