Salaries in Cary, NC

Here’s the thing about Cary: it’s not the booming tech hub of Raleigh next door, but it’s quietly pulling in more than $129,000 per household. With a population just under 179,000, it’s big enough to matter but small enough to feel manageable.

That median income might look rich, but Cary’s cost of living sits at 98.0—just a hair under the national average. It’s not a bargain, but you’re not getting gouged either. For context, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,176 a month. That means a software developer earning the city’s top salary of $126,496 takes home real purchasing power closer to $129,078 after adjusting for local costs. It’s a solid deal if you’re in the right field.

Who’s winning here? The tech sector, clearly. Software developers are the top earners, and you’ve got giants like SAS Institute headquartered right in town. But it’s not all code. Accountants, teachers, electricians—all do respectably well, especially given the low 3.5% unemployment rate. With 71.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the workforce is highly educated, which supports those stronger salaries.

The catch? While the cost of living is steady, wages for non-tech roles haven’t exactly kept pace with the rapid growth in the Triangle area. If you’re in software or professional services, you’ll thrive. If you’re in education or the trades, you’ll live comfortably but won’t feel like you’re getting ahead quickly. It’s a classic case of a high-performing suburb rewarding certain skills handsomely while others just keep up.

The data below breaks down exactly who earns what, and how far those dollars really go in Cary.