What is the average salary in Hickory, NC?
$53,830a year
Average yearly pay across 385 jobs with official data in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, weighted by employment. Each job below shows its median.
- Hourly
- $25.88
- Jobs with data
- 385
- Workers counted
- 148,530
Highest paying jobs
Median yearly pay.
| Physician | $313,500 |
| Chief Executive | $312,700 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $206,400 |
| Dentist | $193,300 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $170,700 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $163,000 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $162,700 |
| Marketing Manager | $151,200 |
| Financial Manager | $138,200 |
Most common jobs
Median yearly pay.
| Laborer and Freight | $40,240 |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,520 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $38,130 |
| Cashier | $27,570 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $42,770 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $57,460 |
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,580 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 |
| Cook | $27,550 |
Management
- Administrative Services Manager$100,300
- Architectural and Engineering Manager$170,700
- Chief Executive$312,700
- Computer and Information Systems Manager$163,000
- Construction Manager$104,500
- Education Administrator$81,750
- Education Administrator$84,050
- Education and Childcare Administrator$53,610
- Entertainment and Recreation Manager$73,420
- Facilities Manager$111,600
- Financial Manager$138,200
- Food Service Manager$72,140
- General and Operations Manager$95,640
- Human Resources Manager$118,000
- Industrial Production Manager$124,300
- Manager$110,100
- Marketing Manager$151,200
- Medical and Health Services Manager$106,600
- Natural Sciences Manager$162,700
- Property$56,530
- Purchasing Manager$132,600
- Sales Manager$132,100
- Social and Community Service Manager$77,030
- Training and Development Manager$113,100
- Transportation$94,750
Business and financial operations
- Accountant and Auditor$77,490
- Business Operations Specialist$69,230
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent$65,460
- Claims Adjuster$57,780
- Compensation$62,610
- Compliance Officer$63,350
- Cost Estimator$62,950
- Financial and Investment Analyst$82,190
- Financial Specialist$74,510
- Fundraiser$64,900
- Human Resources Specialist$64,700
- Loan Officer$63,420
- Logistician$74,220
- Management Analyst$76,990
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist$75,450
- Meeting$49,340
- Personal Financial Advisor$98,090
- Project Management Specialist$85,490
- Property Appraiser and Assessor$49,040
- Tax Examiner and Collector$63,180
- Tax Preparer$47,940
- Training and Development Specialist$56,300
Computer and mathematical
- Computer Network Architect$110,000
- Computer Network Support Specialist$85,780
- Computer Occupation$74,310
- Computer Systems Analyst$93,970
- Computer User Support Specialist$51,990
- Data Scientist$95,290
- Information Security Analyst$115,300
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator$80,970
- Software Developer$122,500
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester$93,540
- Web and Digital Interface Designer$60,910
Architecture and engineering
- Civil Engineer$94,720
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician$57,990
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician$78,720
- Electrical Engineer$107,800
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician$57,810
- Engineer$125,200
- Engineering Technologist and Technician$77,590
- Industrial Engineer$86,640
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician$60,290
- Mechanical Drafter$47,570
- Mechanical Engineer$89,960
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician$64,060
- Surveying and Mapping Technician$50,090
Life, physical, and social science
- Biological Technician$52,930
- Chemical Technician$50,510
- Chemist$80,860
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$91,290
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist$69,930
- Forest and Conservation Technician$48,360
- Medical Scientist$86,260
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$87,530
- School Psychologist$60,960
- Urban and Regional Planner$75,350
Community and social service
- Child$59,840
- Clergy$58,050
- Community and Social Service Specialist$53,210
- Community Health Worker$42,450
- Educational$55,870
- Health Education Specialist$58,450
- Healthcare Social Worker$60,570
- Marriage and Family Therapist$50,820
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$57,150
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$64,860
- Rehabilitation Counselor$49,010
- Social and Human Service Assistant$40,250
- Social Worker$49,470
- Substance Abuse$51,060
Legal
- Lawyer$97,330
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant$48,530
Educational instruction and library
- Adult Basic Education$51,290
- Art$58,230
- Biological Science Teacher$61,950
- Business Teacher$63,840
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$62,380
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$58,610
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher$63,860
- Educational Instruction and Library Worker$36,870
- Elementary School Teacher$49,540
- English Language and Literature Teacher$67,000
- Health Specialties Teacher$63,980
- Instructional Coordinator$60,730
- Kindergarten Teacher$54,520
- Librarian and Media Collections Specialist$58,370
- Library Technician$39,630
- Mathematical Science Teacher$65,390
- Middle School Teacher$51,970
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher$68,220
- Preschool Teacher$32,970
- Secondary School Teacher$57,790
- Self-Enrichment Teacher$43,770
- Special Education Teacher$54,350
- Special Education Teacher$51,800
- Special Education Teacher$64,630
- Substitute Teacher$33,220
- Teacher and Instructor$45,970
- Teaching Assistant$39,910
- Teaching Assistant$27,630
- Tutor$39,900
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media
- Coach and Scout$32,510
- Commercial and Industrial Designer$62,990
- Graphic Designer$50,540
- Interior Designer$60,250
- Interpreter and Translator$53,790
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer$37,900
- Photographer$44,840
- Producer and Director$54,890
- Public Relations Specialist$58,270
- Writer and Author$47,300
Healthcare practitioners and technical
- Athletic Trainer$53,440
- Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician$65,970
- Chiropractor$80,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician$62,710
- Dental Hygienist$94,050
- Dentist$193,300
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$83,510
- Dietetic Technician$29,470
- Dietitian and Nutritionist$64,460
- Emergency Medical Technician$46,020
- Family Medicine Physician$206,400
- Health Information Technologist and Medical Registrar$66,510
- Health Technologist and Technician$44,970
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse$62,430
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist$86,130
- Medical Records Specialist$39,900
- Nurse Anesthetist$213,600
- Nurse Practitioner$126,600
- Occupational Therapist$100,200
- Optician$40,910
- Optometrist$136,900
- Paramedic$49,460
- Pharmacist$137,200
- Pharmacy Technician$43,920
- Physical Therapist$102,000
- Physician$313,500
- Physician Assistant$127,200
- Psychiatric Technician$47,340
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$68,780
- Registered Nurse$80,060
- Respiratory Therapist$78,350
- Speech-Language Pathologist$86,120
- Surgical Technologist$57,000
- Veterinarian$125,000
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician$45,070
Healthcare support
- Dental Assistant$48,720
- Healthcare Support Worker$39,960
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide$30,490
- Medical Assistant$43,290
- Medical Equipment Preparer$42,260
- Nursing Assistant$37,430
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$63,120
- Pharmacy Aide$31,390
- Phlebotomist$37,890
- Physical Therapist Aide$34,760
- Physical Therapist Assistant$63,800
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$36,310
Protective service
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$48,940
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$57,220
- Firefighter$36,340
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$62,780
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$49,350
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$75,190
- Lifeguard$24,480
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$52,260
- Private Detective and Investigator$44,820
- Security Guard$31,860
Food preparation and serving
- Bartender$31,860
- Chef and Head Cook$59,480
- Cook$27,550
- Cook$35,130
- Cook$30,380
- Cook$29,230
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$26,940
- Dishwasher$28,980
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$27,580
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker$41,780
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker$29,150
- Food Preparation Worker$27,680
- Food Server$31,370
- Host and Hostess$27,110
- Waiter and Waitress$29,310
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
Personal care and service
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant$24,290
- Animal Caretaker$29,310
- Childcare Worker$28,460
- Concierge$29,150
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$40,010
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker$46,990
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker$50,760
- Funeral Attendant$34,720
- Hairdresser$35,100
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$33,530
- Recreation Worker$31,280
- Residential Advisor$37,270
- Skincare Specialist$44,730
Sales and related
- Cashier$27,570
- Counter and Rental Clerk$37,060
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Worker$92,660
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Worker$47,110
- Insurance Sales Agent$58,410
- Parts Salesperson$31,200
- Retail Salesperson$30,520
- Sales Engineer$121,100
- Sales Representative$102,500
- Sales Representative$67,150
- Sales Representatives of Service$59,850
- Security$50,040
Office and administrative support
- Bill and Account Collector$43,390
- Billing and Posting Clerk$46,820
- Bookkeeping$45,130
- Cargo and Freight Agent$41,290
- Courier and Messenger$34,390
- Court$47,560
- Customer Service Representative$37,790
- Data Entry Keyer$37,940
- Dispatcher$46,890
- Eligibility Interviewer$45,220
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$52,740
- File Clerk$40,160
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Worker$60,320
- Hotel$29,180
- Human Resources Assistant$45,810
- Information and Record Clerk$33,680
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk$40,370
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$39,990
- Library Assistant$31,810
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk$54,620
- Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator$35,260
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant$38,380
- New Accounts Clerk$44,810
- Office and Administrative Support Worker$44,560
- Office Clerk$40,340
- Order Clerk$43,500
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$50,800
- Postal Service Clerk$68,540
- Postal Service Mail Carrier$58,960
- Procurement Clerk$44,240
- Production$51,860
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$43,870
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$33,870
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant$41,710
- Shipping$42,520
- Teller$41,350
- Weigher$36,330
Farming, fishing, and forestry
- Farmworker$32,670
- Farmworker and Laborer$33,390
Construction and extraction
- Carpenter$48,260
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher$44,570
- Construction and Building Inspector$59,800
- Construction Laborer$44,550
- Electrician$53,730
- Fence Erector$36,360
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker$69,990
- Helpers--Electrician$37,990
- Helpers--Pipelayer$38,480
- Highway Maintenance Worker$44,550
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$47,340
- Painter$39,870
- Paving$44,760
- Pipelayer$43,260
- Plumber$51,330
- Roofer$46,810
- Sheet Metal Worker$46,800
Installation, maintenance, and repair
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$48,080
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$46,860
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$54,480
- Computer$46,430
- Control and Valve Installer and Repairer$64,420
- Electrical and Electronics Repairer$72,480
- Electrical and Electronics Repairer$103,100
- Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer$71,290
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanic$75,120
- Heating$50,300
- Helpers--Installation$37,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$61,570
- Installation$44,010
- Maintenance and Repair Worker$47,690
- Maintenance Worker$60,940
- Medical Equipment Repairer$59,190
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic$63,040
- Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician$54,230
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic$46,070
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$46,520
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer$58,720
- Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer$64,100
- Tire Repairer and Changer$34,370
Production
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender$33,870
- Baker$34,380
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$38,370
- Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter$45,440
- Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender$45,250
- Coating$48,230
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$46,630
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer$61,140
- Cutter and Trimmer$49,200
- Cutting$41,240
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter$44,940
- Dental Laboratory Technician$48,810
- Electrical$47,940
- Extruding$44,800
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter$53,800
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setter$35,890
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker$48,380
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker$64,910
- Food Batchmaker$53,160
- Food Processing Worker$39,150
- Furniture Finisher$40,000
- Grinding$39,300
- Grinding and Polishing Worker$36,680
- Helpers--Production Worker$39,410
- Inspector$43,140
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$32,000
- Machinist$43,430
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator$42,770
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setter$43,590
- Molding$38,370
- Multiple Machine Tool Setter$44,920
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender$41,150
- Paper Goods Machine Setter$48,740
- Power Plant Operator$102,200
- Prepress Technician and Worker$56,850
- Presser$29,360
- Printing Press Operator$48,980
- Production Worker$38,720
- Sawing Machine Setter$37,070
- Sewing Machine Operator$46,540
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$48,530
- Textile$37,370
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operator and Tender$38,990
- Textile Cutting Machine Setter$48,640
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setter$36,200
- Textile Winding$34,940
- Tool and Die Maker$63,230
- Upholsterer$59,700
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$46,080
- Welder$46,080
- Woodworking Machine Setter$38,310
Transportation and material moving
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$34,820
- Bus Driver$36,970
- Cleaners of Vehicle and Equipment$33,930
- Driver/Sales Worker$32,050
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker$60,690
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver$57,460
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$42,850
- Laborer and Freight$40,240
- Light Truck Driver$38,070
- Machine Feeder and Offbearer$36,800
- Motor Vehicle Operator$28,850
- Packer and Packager$35,840
- Parking Attendant$29,920
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$36,960
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur$32,160
- Stocker and Order Filler$38,130
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Hickory, NC?
About $53,830 a year ($25.88 an hour): the average of the 385 jobs with official data, weighted by how many people do each one.
What are the highest paying jobs in Hickory, NC?
Physician ($313,500), Chief Executive ($312,700), Nurse Anesthetist ($213,600).
What are the most common jobs in Hickory, NC?
Laborer and Freight (4,850 jobs), Retail Salesperson (4,000 jobs), Stocker and Order Filler (3,500 jobs).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.