Advertisement
Average salary by job family in Hickory
| Management | $123,200 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $95,380 |
| Legal | $93,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $92,200 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $88,540 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $78,610 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $75,870 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $74,240 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $56,840 |
| Community and Social Service | $55,140 |
| Construction and Extraction | $51,790 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $47,680 |
| Sales and Related | $47,070 |
| Production | $46,900 |
| Protective Service | $46,580 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $45,230 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $44,140 |
| Healthcare Support | $38,200 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $37,830 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $35,450 |
| Personal Care and Service | $35,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $31,620 |
Highest-paying jobs in Hickory
- Chief Executives$314,070
- Physicians, All Other$288,550
- Family Medicine Physicians$204,790
- Dentists, General$200,480
- Nurse Anesthetists$198,260
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$170,970
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$167,760
- Marketing Managers$160,620
- Natural Sciences Managers$159,780
- Financial Managers$157,250
Most common jobs in Hickory and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 4,850 | $40,660 | $40,240 |
| Retail Salespersons | 4,000 | $33,520 | $30,520 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 3,500 | $39,300 | $38,130 |
| Cashiers | 3,470 | $28,290 | $27,570 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 3,190 | $42,620 | $42,770 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 3,050 | $59,600 | $57,460 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,020 | $84,510 | $80,060 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,930 | $28,240 | $27,580 |
| Nursing Assistants | 2,780 | $37,960 | $37,430 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 2,650 | $26,810 | $27,550 |
Advertisement
Cost of living in Hickory
Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 88.5 for 2024. The average local salary of $54,360 therefore buys what $61,433 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $271,739, 4.5 times the median household income of $60,255.
$271,739typical home value
$60,255median household income
88.5BEA price parity
366,972metro population
Take-home pay in Hickory
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $35,080 | $29,476 | $2,456 |
| Median wage | $45,220 | $37,219 | $3,102 |
| Average wage | $54,360 | $44,198 | $3,683 |
| 75th percentile wage | $60,650 | $49,001 | $4,083 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Hickory
Management25 jobs
- Chief Executives$314K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$171K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$168K
- Marketing Managers$161K
- Natural Sciences Managers$160K
- Financial Managers$157K
- Sales Managers$147K
- Purchasing Managers$141K
- Human Resources Managers$135K
- Industrial Production Managers$132K
- Managers, All Other$127K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$125K
- Training and Development Managers$123K
- General and Operations Managers$120K
- Construction Managers$118K
- Facilities Managers$116K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$111K
- Administrative Services Managers$101K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$88K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$86K
- Social and Community Service Managers$82K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$76K
- Food Service Managers$72K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$65K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$57K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical35 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$289K
- Family Medicine Physicians$205K
- Dentists, General$200K
- Nurse Anesthetists$198K
- Optometrists$142K
- Pharmacists$137K
- Physician Assistants$128K
- Veterinarians$128K
- Nurse Practitioners$126K
- Chiropractors$105K
- Physical Therapists$102K
- Occupational Therapists$96K
- Dental Hygienists$90K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$90K
- Respiratory Therapists$87K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$85K
- Registered Nurses$85K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$83K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$71K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$68K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$65K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$64K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63K
- Surgical Technologists$56K
- Athletic Trainers$56K
- Paramedics$51K
- Opticians, Dispensing$51K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$50K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$48K
- Psychiatric Technicians$44K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$44K
- Medical Records Specialists$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$43K
- Dietetic Technicians$29K
Legal2 jobs
Computer and Mathematical11 jobs
- Software Developers$129K
- Information Security Analysts$118K
- Computer Network Architects$116K
- Data Scientists$99K
- Computer Systems Analysts$98K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$97K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$91K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$79K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$78K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$77K
- Computer User Support Specialists$56K
Architecture and Engineering13 jobs
- Engineers, All Other$118K
- Electrical Engineers$114K
- Civil Engineers$96K
- Mechanical Engineers$96K
- Industrial Engineers$91K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$74K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$65K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$65K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64K
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$60K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$56K
- Mechanical Drafters$54K
Business and Financial Operations22 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$127K
- Project Management Specialists$98K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$88K
- Accountants and Auditors$87K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$82K
- Loan Officers$81K
- Management Analysts$80K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$79K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$78K
- Logisticians$77K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$75K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$73K
- Human Resources Specialists$70K
- Compliance Officers$70K
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$69K
- Cost Estimators$68K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$66K
- Fundraisers$65K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$62K
- Training and Development Specialists$61K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$56K
- Tax Preparers$53K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media10 jobs
Life, Physical, and Social Science10 jobs
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$108K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$95K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$89K
- Chemists$84K
- Urban and Regional Planners$77K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$73K
- School Psychologists$61K
- Chemical Technicians$55K
- Biological Technicians$52K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$48K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair23 jobs
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$98K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$78K
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$74K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$69K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$66K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$64K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$62K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$61K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$60K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$59K
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$56K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$55K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$53K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$52K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$51K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$51K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$51K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$49K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$48K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$45K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$39K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$35K
Community and Social Service14 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$61K
- Social Workers, All Other$61K
- Healthcare Social Workers$60K
- Health Education Specialists$58K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$58K
- Clergy$57K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$57K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$56K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$55K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$53K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$48K
- Community Health Workers$45K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$43K
Construction and Extraction17 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$72K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$67K
- Electricians$56K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$53K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$51K
- Carpenters$50K
- Sheet Metal Workers$50K
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$46K
- Roofers$46K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$45K
- Construction Laborers$44K
- Pipelayers$44K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$42K
- Helpers--Electricians$40K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$39K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$39K
- Fence Erectors$38K
Educational Instruction and Library29 jobs
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$70K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$69K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$67K
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$65K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$65K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$62K
- Instructional Coordinators$62K
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$62K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$60K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$60K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$58K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$56K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$54K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$54K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$54K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$53K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$52K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$52K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$52K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$52K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$51K
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$44K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$44K
- Tutors$42K
- Library Technicians$40K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$40K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$33K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$29K
Sales and Related12 jobs
- Sales Engineers$119K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$116K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$105K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$75K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$71K
- Insurance Sales Agents$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$52K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$43K
- Parts Salespersons$37K
- Retail Salespersons$34K
- Cashiers$28K
Production51 jobs
- Power Plant Operators$97K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$69K
- Tool and Die Makers$61K
- Upholsterers$58K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$58K
- Prepress Technicians and Workers$54K
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53K
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand$52K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$51K
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers$50K
- Printing Press Operators$50K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$50K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$49K
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$48K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48K
- Machinists$47K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$47K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$46K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$46K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46K
- Food Batchmakers$46K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$46K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Sewing Machine Operators$45K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44K
- Furniture Finishers$43K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42K
- Production Workers, All Other$42K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41K
- Helpers--Production Workers$41K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$40K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$40K
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders$39K
- Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$39K
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$39K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$38K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$38K
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$37K
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$37K
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$36K
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$35K
- Bakers$35K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32K
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$30K
Protective Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$77K
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$58K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$58K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$56K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$55K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$48K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$47K
- Firefighters$37K
- Security Guards$36K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$24K
Office and Administrative Support37 jobs
- Postal Service Clerks$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$64K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$61K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$61K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$54K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$54K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$52K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$52K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$51K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$50K
- New Accounts Clerks$48K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$48K
- Procurement Clerks$47K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$46K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$45K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$45K
- Bill and Account Collectors$45K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$45K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$44K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$44K
- Order Clerks$44K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$44K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44K
- Tellers$43K
- Office Clerks, General$41K
- Customer Service Representatives$41K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$41K
- Data Entry Keyers$40K
- File Clerks$40K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$38K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$38K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$36K
- Couriers and Messengers$36K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$34K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$32K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$31K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$60K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43K
- Light Truck Drivers$42K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$41K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$39K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$37K
- Driver/Sales Workers$37K
- Bus Drivers, School$37K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$36K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$36K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$34K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$33K
- Parking Attendants$31K
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$26K
Healthcare Support12 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$66K
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$65K
- Dental Assistants$48K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$45K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$44K
- Physical Therapist Aides$42K
- Medical Assistants$42K
- Phlebotomists$40K
- Nursing Assistants$38K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31K
- Pharmacy Aides$30K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$53K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45K
- Pest Control Workers$43K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$38K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32K
Personal Care and Service13 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$50K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$48K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$42K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$40K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$40K
- Residential Advisors$38K
- Funeral Attendants$35K
- Recreation Workers$34K
- Animal Caretakers$33K
- Childcare Workers$31K
- Concierges$30K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$25K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44K
- Bartenders$38K
- Waiters and Waitresses$34K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$34K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33K
- Cooks, Restaurant$33K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$30K
- Cooks, Short Order$29K
- Food Preparation Workers$29K
- Dishwashers$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$28K
- Cooks, Fast Food$27K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$26K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$26K
Average salary in nearby cities
Advertisement
What locals say: vote a badge
Tap the badges that describe this place. One vote per badge and visitor, no account. A badge shows in the city rankings after 3 votes.
Salary in Hickory: questions
What is a good salary in Hickory?
Half of all workers in the Hickory metro earn less than $45,220 and the average is $54,360. Earning more than $60,650 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Hickory to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $61,737, because prices here are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Hickory?
Chief Executives ($314,070), Physicians, All Other ($288,550), Family Medicine Physicians ($204,790).
What is the average salary in Lenoir?
Lenoir is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, where the average salary is $54,360 a year and the median $45,220. BLS does not publish separate wage figures for Lenoir, so these metro figures are the closest official guide.
What is the average salary in Morganton?
Morganton is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, where the average salary is $54,360 a year and the median $45,220. BLS does not publish separate wage figures for Morganton, so these metro figures are the closest official guide.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860), all occupations and 385 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.