Career Atlas USA

Careers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Part of North Carolina.

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC’s regional price level is below the national average (index 88.486, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3.5% · 157,610 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Physicians, All Other$313,460
  2. 2Chief Executives$312,730
  3. 3Nurse Anesthetists$213,630
  4. 4Family Medicine Physicians$206,360
  5. 5Dentists, General$193,320

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4,850 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons4,000 employed
  3. 3Stockers and Order Fillers3,500 employed
  4. 4Cashiers3,470 employed
  5. 5Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators3,190 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Upholsterers111.23× national avg
  2. 2Cutters and Trimmers, Hand97.45× national avg
  3. 3Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers49.84× national avg
  4. 4Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders34.20× national avg
  5. 5Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders33.59× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Physicians, All Other$354,248
  2. 2Chief Executives$353,423
  3. 3Nurse Anesthetists$241,428
  4. 4Family Medicine Physicians$233,212
  5. 5Dentists, General$218,475

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see North Carolina state page.