Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| North Carolina | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $134,710 | $142,991 | -6% |
| Median hourly wage | $64.76 | $68.75 | -6% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $142,853.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | $138,884 | $99,750 | $183,750 | 101 |
| Charlotte | $134,915 | $96,900 | $178,500 | 100 |
The median annual salary for a Software Engineer in North Carolina is $134,710, or about $64.76 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Software Engineers is $142,991. North Carolina is -6% below the national median.
Entry-level software engineers in North Carolina typically earn from $99,750 depending on the city and employer.
With 58,470 software engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $134,710, North Carolina offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.