City Town Info

Wilmington Employment

Employment and Industries in the Wilmington, North Carolina Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Wilmington than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Wilmington.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Wilmington.
  • A list of any large public companies in Wilmington.

Most Popular Jobs in Wilmington, North Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,92056,480$43,070 - 69,93024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,64040,100$28,590 - 52,16014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,47049,190$26,130 - 87,4608%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education87041,330$30,270 - 53,6406%96%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education82040,560$29,620 - 53,10011%95%
6Accountants and auditors76060,220$35,650 - 98,29018%79%
7Management analysts410 $ - 22%78%
8Financial managers40089,090$52,760 - 133,63013%60%
9Child, family, and school social workers36046,010$33,290 - 63,07019%77%
10Social and human service assistants33026,770$20,210 - 37,15034%58%
11Sales managers31076,820$38,030 - 135,99010%69%
12Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school30037,240$24,620 - 50,43020%87%
13Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents270 $ - 25%67%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school27065,920$44,700 - 96,9708%78%
15Teachers and instructors, all other26034,700$20,870 - 54,7709%54%
16Lawyers26076,190$37,510 - 119,94011%99%
17Medical and health services managers25087,610$55,030 - 128,12016%57%
18Mental health and substance abuse social workers24035,660$26,770 - 50,39030%77%
19Pharmacists240110,990$88,840 - 131,56022%97%
20Educational, vocational, and school counselors24045,250$32,450 - 60,59013%73%
21Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists22045,990$27,300 - 80,96018%56%
22Graphic designers22036,800$25,150 - 51,90010%55%
23Civil engineers22067,090$45,030 - 96,70018%87%
24Training and development specialists21058,740$37,590 - 82,19018%56%
25Physical therapists21080,290$59,950 - 101,59027%89%
26Computer software engineers, applications210 $ - 45%85%
27Managers, all other20080,770$41,130 - 135,0107%55%
28Self-enrichment education teachers20049,060$25,180 - 77,47023%54%
29Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products20056,250$32,960 - 103,93012%51%
30Network and computer systems administrators20059,510$34,390 - 82,72027%50%
31Computer programmers19058,660$37,450 - 80,4800%73%
32Advertising sales agents18038,330$16,150 - 55,75020%56%
33Occupational therapists17052,370$22,820 - 94,34023%90%
34Industrial engineers17076,270$52,330 - 102,55020%74%
35Detectives and criminal investigators17050,550$34,530 - 87,76017%54%
36Speech-language pathologists17053,500$35,140 - 81,76011%98%
37Education administrators, postsecondary17087,510$53,710 - 141,49014%78%
38Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists17049,140$29,740 - 74,00016%99%
39Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation16044,470$28,740 - 64,0305%58%
40Chemists16044,070$29,450 - 63,2109%93%
41Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program15030,890$26,250 - 38,44024%78%
42Medical and clinical laboratory technicians15034,140$23,040 - 49,18015%51%
43Education, training, and library workers, all other15045,600$21,090 - 76,91011%79%
44Public relations specialists14049,250$27,770 - 82,25018%81%
45Physician assistants14085,510$70,070 - 104,21027%67%
46Medical and clinical laboratory technologists13052,550$36,260 - 72,36012%51%
47Mental health counselors13048,740$33,660 - 70,64030%73%
48Environmental scientists and specialists, including health13049,830$34,490 - 73,31025%93%
49Financial analysts13057,630$40,810 - 85,42034%87%
50Engineering managers130100,440$70,900 - 131,6407%84%
51Librarians12050,770$36,970 - 65,9604%85%
52Computer systems analysts12066,950$46,570 - 90,62029%68%
53Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors120 $ - 14%54%
54Database administrators11051,140$37,030 - 71,75029%72%
55Veterinarians11057,480$35,130 - 92,39035%100%
56Computer and information systems managers11093,690$57,700 - 129,75016%73%
57Architects, except landscape and naval10065,480$49,430 - 79,29018%88%
58Medical and public health social workers10041,390$31,190 - 52,22024%77%
59Coaches and scouts10039,460$22,180 - 60,66015%60%
60Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists9055,950$34,320 - 80,46018%56%
61Special education teachers, middle school9040,400$30,490 - 50,51016%87%
62Statisticians9074,080$45,060 - 111,3509%93%
63Community and social service specialists, all other9050,770$30,620 - 67,80025%58%
64Dentists, general90212,440$120,950 - 9%100%
65Sales and related workers, all other9037,290$22,490 - 49,82014%62%
66Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other8045,770$35,520 - 56,59015%72%
67Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other8055,740$35,040 - 81,95017%56%
68Floral designers8023,270$16,740 - 30,6400%55%
69Instructional coordinators8050,150$35,610 - 64,78023%79%
70Market research analysts8058,050$31,220 - 81,19020%82%
71Social and community service managers7064,490$45,130 - 84,97025%72%
72Surveyors7070,250$46,920 - 98,37024%82%
73Reporters and correspondents7031,260$19,090 - 46,6301%85%
74Editors7052,480$34,060 - 74,7302%81%
75Chief executives70173,780$103,070 - 2%65%
76Urban and regional planners7048,740$35,830 - 65,58015%92%
77Producers and directors7042,310$20,560 - 76,98011%75%
78Marketing managers60107,400$69,160 - 158,68014%69%
79Vocational education teachers, secondary school6045,680$29,580 - 63,7700%96%
80Environmental engineers6074,670$46,660 - 103,51025%86%
81Mechanical engineers6073,870$48,980 - 104,3004%78%
82Occupational health and safety specialists5054,070$31,100 - 75,2108%72%
83Natural sciences managers50113,430$74,110 - 11%93%
84Dietitians and nutritionists5049,380$34,530 - 65,5109%72%
85Financial specialists, all other5051,930$30,040 - 64,36012%50%
86Training and development managers40152,040$89,140 - 16%58%
87Commercial pilots4068,880$25,210 - 142,07013%74%
88Meeting and convention planners4039,740$29,660 - 57,66020%67%
89Rehabilitation counselors4044,050$25,090 - 78,02023%73%
90Social workers, all other4043,370$35,080 - 50,70018%77%
91Biological scientists, all other4072,990$45,000 - 101,7204%95%
92Purchasing managers4077,860$57,010 - 107,7803%57%
93Credit analysts4066,850$36,330 - 102,5902%60%
94Personal financial advisors4056,860$41,850 - 84,23041%81%
95Sales engineers3074,440$56,470 - 96,8109%79%
96Health educators3047,500$35,230 - 63,46026%58%
97Budget analysts3053,830$28,830 - 80,9907%78%
98Merchandise displayers and window trimmers3025,410$16,540 - 33,83011%55%
99Public relations managers3073,560$41,450 - 102,78017%75%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons6,63023,980$14,490 - 38,63012%25%
2Waiters and waitresses4,74017,420$13,570 - 24,95011%14%
3Cashiers4,01017,360$13,710 - 22,740-2%10%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food3,67016,230$13,550 - 20,29018%5%
5Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive2,67026,550$16,930 - 35,5201%18%
6Home health aides2,39020,120$16,220 - 25,01049%7%
7Office clerks, general2,33023,820$15,120 - 33,21013%19%
8First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers2,32036,100$20,520 - 51,0504%25%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners2,28020,840$14,900 - 28,33015%4%
10General and operations managers2,210100,550$48,020 - 2%48%
11Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,17021,900$14,560 - 32,8602%5%
12Customer service representatives2,04030,410$18,600 - 42,86025%22%
13Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,80030,210$21,310 - 40,39013%16%
14Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,73021,850$15,580 - 29,88018%6%
15Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,70035,010$24,980 - 48,20015%18%
16Food preparation workers1,62017,930$13,920 - 23,46015%7%
17Stock clerks and order fillers1,55021,150$14,680 - 30,300-7%8%
18Cooks, restaurant1,54021,540$16,180 - 29,21012%5%
19Teacher assistants1,47019,970$15,170 - 25,46010%18%
20First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,43044,770$28,030 - 66,4206%29%
21Maintenance and repair workers, general1,40031,780$19,210 - 46,79010%6%
22Receptionists and information clerks1,36025,150$17,640 - 32,49017%13%
23First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers1,34028,730$18,190 - 41,72011%14%
24Construction laborers1,31025,390$17,940 - 33,20011%5%
25Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,29037,770$25,500 - 54,71010%4%
26Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,29017,970$14,050 - 23,59013%5%
27First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers1,26047,020$33,510 - 64,2609%10%
28Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,24032,230$19,770 - 50,5508%4%
29Carpenters1,14032,580$23,920 - 42,81010%6%
30Security guards1,00022,180$14,570 - 32,27017%13%
31Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop96015,430$13,520 - 18,37010%8%
32Team assemblers91021,450$13,760 - 31,1300%5%
33Amusement and recreation attendants91016,420$13,620 - 20,59024%22%
34Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses90038,390$30,410 - 49,14014%7%
35Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants87023,320$17,850 - 30,04018%7%
36Police and sheriff's patrol officers82038,300$28,760 - 50,58011%33%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics79041,030$26,900 - 59,66014%4%
38Dishwashers79016,090$13,550 - 19,71010%3%
39Business operations specialists, all other79054,070$29,430 - 83,03021%49%
40Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters71034,780$27,960 - 43,72011%4%
41Bartenders69018,020$13,530 - 27,28011%17%
42Preschool teachers, except special education68019,420$15,590 - 26,56026%43%
43Industrial truck and tractor operators68028,890$17,930 - 39,450-1%2%
44Tellers66023,680$20,050 - 29,33014%16%
45First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers66056,780$33,690 - 91,500-4%15%
46Medical assistants65028,690$22,010 - 36,17035%10%
47Cooks, short order65016,870$13,590 - 22,4205%5%
48Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers64032,520$20,820 - 49,550-6%14%
49Packers and packagers, hand64017,450$13,610 - 25,920-11%3%
50Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop63017,160$13,840 - 21,16010%17%
51Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks61026,400$17,960 - 37,3904%6%
52Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers60016,200$13,500 - 20,34012%6%
53First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers59058,020$35,550 - 83,0807%13%
54Electricians57035,530$26,810 - 42,2507%7%
55Painters, construction and maintenance54030,330$22,330 - 39,57012%6%
56Billing and posting clerks and machine operators50030,250$21,180 - 39,6704%15%
57Computer support specialists48039,840$27,570 - 52,37013%43%
58Counter and rental clerks46026,840$15,520 - 39,62023%16%
59Correctional officers and jailers45032,020$26,450 - 40,26017%11%
60Driver/sales workers45021,570$13,890 - 33,420-4%4%
61Healthcare support workers, all other45025,650$20,480 - 32,53016%10%
62Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks45021,040$15,710 - 28,76017%14%
63Child care workers45017,570$13,890 - 22,70018%15%
64Fire fighters41031,380$21,060 - 41,14012%18%
65Bill and account collectors41031,860$21,120 - 42,35023%13%
66Postal service mail carriers410 1%11%
67Loan officers40052,010$33,450 - 79,87012%49%
68Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators39033,710$26,550 - 41,7608%3%
69Medical secretaries39027,270$21,500 - 33,70017%18%
70First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators39050,770$32,760 - 77,86010%17%
71Helpers--electricians39024,270$18,070 - 32,9907%3%
72Construction managers39080,250$54,590 - 126,57016%29%
73Personal and home care aides37017,690$16,070 - 19,55051%10%
74Dental assistants36033,070$27,260 - 40,89029%9%
75Real estate sales agents360 11%45%
76Cooks, fast food35018,780$14,270 - 24,0708%5%
77Emergency medical technicians and paramedics35030,480$20,840 - 42,98019%14%
78Cleaners of vehicles and equipment35018,140$13,710 - 26,01014%3%
79Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers35034,160$21,570 - 47,2109%3%
80Cooks, institution and cafeteria33020,600$14,530 - 29,31011%5%
81Paralegals and legal assistants31034,610$26,910 - 43,72022%45%
82Insurance sales agents30051,520$22,560 - 95,51013%45%
83Sales representatives, services, all other30057,260$25,490 - 95,69028%48%
84Real estate brokers29048,440$19,220 - 94,54011%45%
85Cement masons and concrete finishers29025,690$19,080 - 34,96011%2%
86Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders29017,710$13,480 - 22,490-4%5%
87First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers29042,410$28,600 - 56,43018%15%
88Pharmacy technicians29024,200$17,740 - 33,59032%16%
89Radiologic technologists and technicians27044,940$28,750 - 62,18015%25%
90Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists27019,140$13,790 - 27,72012%6%
91Surveying and mapping technicians27033,370$22,440 - 48,64019%7%
92Bus drivers, school27022,240$16,630 - 29,6309%4%
93Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall26028,370$18,640 - 40,4808%0%
94Electrical power-line installers and repairers26058,850$38,880 - 75,8707%6%
95Machinists26034,420$23,800 - 47,120-2%3%
96First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers26073,830$34,690 - 126,3104%38%
97Sheet metal workers25031,040$24,250 - 40,1307%4%
98Bakers24020,200$15,500 - 25,11010%8%
99First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers24033,380$22,130 - 48,78013%11%
100Telemarketers24022,820$20,360 - 25,440-9%14%
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Jobs More Common Near Wilmington Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall28,37026019.1
Motorboat mechanics36,63013014
Real estate brokers48,4402906.5
Transportation workers, all other24,5101405.1
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels40,9201104.3
Cooks, short order16,8706504.2
Millwrights40,9601203.9
Surveying and mapping technicians33,3702703.8
Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers29,9001103.8
Amusement and recreation attendants16,4209103.7
Helpers--electricians24,2703903.7
Pest control workers30,2702103.4
Electrical power-line installers and repairers58,8502603.3
Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program30,8901503.2
Pipelayers27,5801402.9
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters21,3602102.9
Eligibility interviewers, government programs33,6902202.7
Home health aides20,1202,3902.7
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers42,4102902.6
Veterinary technologists and technicians24,3902002.5
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers51,8101102.5
Healthcare support workers, all other25,6504502.4
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing20,1601302.4
Photographic processing machine operators20,1101002.3
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors 1202.3
Correctional officers and jailers32,0204502.2
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives55,5801702.2
Veterinarians57,4801102.2
Appraisers and assessors of real estate62,3301302.2
Real estate sales agents 3602.1
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers47,0201,2602.1
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks21,0404502.1
Education administrators, postsecondary87,5101702
Painters, construction and maintenance30,3305402
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics30,4803502
Education, training, and library workers, all other45,6001502
Mental health and substance abuse social workers35,6602402
Physician assistants85,5101402
Detectives and criminal investigators50,5501701.9
Motor vehicle operators, all other28,0901401.9
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers36,1002,3201.9
Couriers and messengers25,6401901.9
Waiters and waitresses17,4204,7401.9
Chemists44,0701601.9
Food preparation workers17,9301,6201.8
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers21,8501,7301.8
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators50,7703901.8
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop15,4309601.8
Occupational therapists52,3701701.8
Postal service clerks 1301.7

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Wilmington, North Carolina Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Self-enrichment education teachers49,0601.28200
Appraisers and assessors of real estate62,3301.21130
Mental health counselors48,7401.2130
Family and general practitioners195,6601.19140
Training and development specialists58,7401.17210
Counter and rental clerks26,8401.15460
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors34,5301.14180
Child, family, and school social workers46,0101.13360
Automotive service technicians and mechanics41,0301.13790
Recreation workers27,2501.13200
Truck drivers, light or delivery services32,2301.111,240
Education, training, and library workers, all other45,6001.11150
Sales representatives, services, all other57,2601.1300
Physical therapists80,2901.09210
Food service managers52,9801.09220
Architectural and civil drafters47,6101.09180
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks21,0401.08450
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers55,2501.08200
Cooks, fast food18,7801.08350
Property, real estate, and community association managers57,6701.08140
Electrical power-line installers and repairers58,8501.07260
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers56,7801.07660
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic31,2901.07150
Couriers and messengers25,6401.06190
Data entry keyers27,6101.06140
Parts salespersons32,2901.06230
Pharmacists110,9901.06240
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers73,8301.06260
Automotive body and related repairers41,4801.06120
Receptionists and information clerks25,1501.051,360
Industrial engineers76,2701.05170
Physician assistants85,5101.05140
Dental hygienists66,4601.05230
General and operations managers100,5501.042,210
Food servers, nonrestaurant20,9001.04140
Medical and health services managers87,6101.04250
Helpers--production workers24,4501.03110
Bill and account collectors31,8601.03410
Industrial machinery mechanics45,8501.03210
Dental assistants33,0701.03360
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance35,6401.03210
Customer service representatives30,4101.022,040
All other information and record clerks33,8601.02160
Medical assistants28,6901.02650
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers58,0201.02590
Printing machine operators33,3101.02160
Nonfarm animal caretakers20,9301.01160
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers25,0301.01190
Accountants and auditors60,2201.01760
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer37,7701.011,290

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