Salary in Cary, NC: 2026 Occupation Estimates

Name: OCity Cary Occupation Salary Planning Estimates
Published: 2026-02-26

What does the salary model mean for Cary?

$53,249 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$53,249/year

Gross monthly equivalent$4,437/month

Household income context$129,607

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 39-Role Set

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

🥇 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$126,496

💡 Purchasing-power model $129,078

⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.82/hr

National projected growth +17.0%

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🥈 -1% vs national

Accountant

$85,563

💡 Purchasing-power model $87,309

⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $41.14/hr

National projected growth +3.0%

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🥉 -1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,287

💡 Purchasing-power model $64,579

⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.43/hr

National projected growth +3.0%

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4️⃣ -1% vs national

Electrician

$61,180

💡 Purchasing-power model $62,429

⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.41/hr

National projected growth +3.0%

Career Guide → Best Cities →

5️⃣ -1% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$61,111

💡 Purchasing-power model $62,358

⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $29.38/hr

National projected growth +3.0%

Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Cary

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (98.0/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Search occupations

Showing all 39 occupations.

#				Model vs National		Hourly
1	Software Developer	$126,496	$129,078	-1%	+17.0%	$60.82
2	Accountant	$85,563	$87,309	-1%	+3.0%	$41.14
3	Elementary School Teacher	$63,287	$64,579	-1%	+3.0%	$30.43
4	Electrician	$61,180	$62,429	-1%	+3.0%	$29.41
5	Real Estate Agent	$61,111	$62,358	-1%	+3.0%	$29.38
6	Heavy Truck Driver	$52,771	$53,848	-1%	+3.0%	$25.37
7	Carpenter	$49,700	$50,714	-13%	+3.0%	$23.89
8	Paralegal	$49,700	$50,714	-21%	+3.0%	$23.89
9	Physical Therapist	$49,700	$50,714	-50%	+3.0%	$23.89
10	Financial Analyst	$49,700	$50,714	-50%	+3.0%	$23.89
11	Human Resources Specialist	$49,700	$50,714	-27%	+3.0%	$23.89
12	Pharmacist	$49,700	$50,714	-64%	+3.0%	$23.89
13	HVAC Technician	$49,700	$50,714	-11%	+3.0%	$23.89
14	Nursing Assistant (CNA)	$49,700	$50,714	+39%	+3.0%	$23.89
15	Insurance Agent	$49,700	$50,714	-38%	+3.0%	$23.89
16	Welder	$49,700	$50,714	+0%	+3.0%	$23.89
17	Cosmetologist	$49,700	$50,714	+30%	+3.0%	$23.89
18	Personal Trainer	$49,700	$50,714	+7%	+3.0%	$23.89
19	Chef/Head Cook	$49,700	$50,714	-18%	+3.0%	$23.89
20	Auto Mechanic	$49,700	$50,714	+3%	+3.0%	$23.89
21	Social Worker	$49,700	$50,714	-18%	+3.0%	$23.89
22	Pharmacy Technician	$49,700	$50,714	+23%	+3.0%	$23.89
23	Veterinary Technician	$49,700	$50,714	+16%	+3.0%	$23.89
24	Dental Assistant	$49,700	$50,714	+11%	+3.0%	$23.89
25	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	$49,700	$50,714	-9%	+3.0%	$23.89
26	Firefighter	$49,700	$50,714	-13%	+3.0%	$23.89
27	Construction Manager	$49,700	$50,714	-54%	+3.0%	$23.89
28	Dental Hygienist	$49,700	$50,714	-43%	+3.0%	$23.89
29	Web Developer	$49,700	$50,714	-46%	+3.0%	$23.89
30	Marketing Manager	$49,700	$50,714	-69%	+3.0%	$23.89
31	Medical Assistant	$49,700	$50,714	+30%	+3.0%	$23.89
32	Loan Officer	$49,700	$50,714	-35%	+3.0%	$23.89
33	Nail Technician	$49,700	$50,714	+49%	+3.0%	$23.89
34	Police Officer	$49,700	$50,714	-34%	+3.0%	$23.89
35	Project Manager	$49,700	$50,714	-51%	+3.0%	$23.89
36	Graphic Designer	$49,700	$50,714	-19%	+3.0%	$23.89
37	Data Analyst	$49,700	$50,714	-40%	+3.0%	$23.89
38	Plumber	$49,700	$50,714	-22%	+3.0%	$23.89
39	Security Guard	$35,923	$36,656	-1%	+3.0%	$17.27

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

Cary 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 0.315×–1.490× 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 ÷ 98.0 × 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.

BLS OEWS methodology BLS national projections Census/ACS income context

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

🏙️ Living Costs in Cary

🏠

1BR Rent

$1,176/mo

🏡

2BR Rent

$1,470/mo

🏘️

Median Home

$570,000

📉

Unemployment

3.5%

💳

Median Income

$129,607

🎓

College Educated

72%

🚶

Walk Score

45/100

📊

Cost of Living

Below Avg Cost

📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Cary 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.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Cary Salary FAQ

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

▼

$53,249 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Cary workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Cary?

▼

The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,437 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Cary?

▼

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 Cary?

▼

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.315×–1.490× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Cary

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.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Cary

City analysis

Explore Cary Further

🏙️ Cary City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage

Salaries in Cary, NC

What does the salary model mean for Cary?

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 39-Role Set

Software Developer

Accountant

Elementary School Teacher

Electrician

Real Estate Agent

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Cary

Cary salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

Purchasing-power equivalent

🏙️ Living Costs in Cary

🧮 Test Your Cary Budget

❓ Cary Salary FAQ

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

What is the monthly salary estimate in Cary?

What is a good salary in Cary?

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Cary?

📝 Planning Takeaways for Cary

Make your salary work in Cary

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