Careers in Wilmington, NC
Part of North Carolina.
Wilmington, NC’s regional price level is below the national average (index 96.422, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 3.5% · 219,216 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Chief Executives$298,730
- 2Physicians, All Other$252,960
- 3Nurse Anesthetists$218,830
- 4Family Medicine Physicians$207,000
- 5Business Teachers, Postsecondary$187,380
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Retail Salespersons6,310 employed
- 2Fast Food and Counter Workers5,100 employed
- 3Registered Nurses5,040 employed
- 4Waiters and Waitresses4,920 employed
- 5Cashiers4,860 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers13.01× national avg
- 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric5.44× national avg
- 3Cooks, Fast Food4.92× national avg
- 4Fire Inspectors and Investigators4.82× national avg
- 5Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians4.67× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Chief Executives$309,815
- 2Physicians, All Other$262,347
- 3Nurse Anesthetists$226,950
- 4Family Medicine Physicians$214,681
- 5Business Teachers, Postsecondary$194,333
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.