💰 COL Index: 96 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Asheville, NC

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,647
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$71,432
model average ÷ 96.1 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$155,775
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,496
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Asheville?

$68,647 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,647/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,721/month
Household income context$66,032

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,775
💡 Purchasing-power model $162,097
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.89/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
🥈 -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$134,438
💡 Purchasing-power model $139,894
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.63/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
🥉 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,771
💡 Purchasing-power model $130,875
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.47/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
4️⃣ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,943
💡 Purchasing-power model $111,283
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.41/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
5️⃣ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$100,095
💡 Purchasing-power model $104,157
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.12/hr
National projected growth +6.0%

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Asheville

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (96.1/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $155,775
2 Pharmacist $134,438
3 Software Developer $125,771
4 Construction Manager $106,943
5 Project Manager $100,095
6 Physical Therapist $98,543
7 Financial Analyst $97,851
8 Web Developer $91,664
9 Dental Hygienist $86,505
10 Accountant $85,072
11 Registered Nurse $85,062
12 Data Analyst $82,384
13 Police Officer $74,033
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,858
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,925
16 Plumber $62,608
17 Paralegal $62,015
18 Electrician $60,829
19 Real Estate Agent $60,760
20 Graphic Designer $60,622
21 Firefighter $56,451
22 Carpenter $56,254
23 HVAC Technician $55,018
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,468
25 Personal Trainer $49,415
26 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,415
27 Dental Assistant $49,415
28 Auto Mechanic $49,415
29 Chef/Head Cook $49,415
30 Social Worker $49,415
31 Veterinary Technician $49,415
32 Insurance Agent $49,415
33 Loan Officer $49,415
34 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,415
35 Cosmetologist $49,415
36 Nail Technician $49,415
37 Pharmacy Technician $49,415
38 Welder $49,009
39 Medical Assistant $37,822
40 Security Guard $35,717

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Asheville salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.618×–1.482× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 96.1 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Asheville

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,496/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,680/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$444,000
📉
Unemployment
3.5%
💳
Median Income
$66,032
🎓
College Educated
56%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
96
Below Avg Cost

🧮 Test Your Asheville Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

Asheville Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Asheville mean on this page?

$68,647 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Asheville workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Asheville?

The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,721 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Asheville?

There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Asheville?

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.618×–1.482× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Asheville

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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