Salaries in Wilmington, NC

Here’s a place where the median income sits at $71,362, but you can rent a one-bedroom for $1,349. Wilmington, NC in 2026 feels like one of those rare coastal towns where the math actually works. It’s not a secret anymore, but it’s not completely overrun, either.

Let’s talk purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 97.1, you’re getting about a 3% discount on the national average. That doesn’t sound huge, but when you pair it with an average salary of $68,502—adjusted to a real-world value of $70,548—it means your paycheck goes noticeably further here than in Charlotte or Raleigh. That median household income figure is key; it means a household of two earners isn’t crushed by housing costs, which is rare for a city with a beach.

Who’s winning here? The economy is anchored by a few big players: the Port of Wilmington, a growing film and TV production scene, and healthcare giants like Novant Health and New Hanover Regional Medical Center. That’s why you see pharmacists and project managers doing so well. The software developer numbers ($126K) are also a quiet surprise—a tech presence is building, fueled by remote work and local startups. And with unemployment at just 3.5%, employers are competing for talent.

But here’s the honest catch: while the cost of living is manageable, wages aren’t exploding. The average salary across all roles is solid, not spectacular. For a single person or a young family who values a coastal lifestyle without the financial panic of a major metro, Wilmington is a phenomenal deal. If you’re a top earner in marketing or tech, it’s a jackpot. If you’re in a lower-wage service job, that $1,349 rent still bites.

The numbers below tell the full story—exactly who earns what, and how far that money really goes in this little slice of the Cape Fear coast.