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 (2007 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,69054,650$41,310 - 67,72024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,56039,200$27,570 - 51,09014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,51050,190$23,020 - 87,8908%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education81039,870$28,600 - 52,1106%96%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education70038,840$27,930 - 51,71011%95%
6Accountants and auditors63064,500$35,830 - 113,99018%79%
7Teachers and instructors, all other56025,240$16,040 - 40,8609%54%
8Financial managers42088,560$51,280 - 145,01013%60%
9Civil engineers31068,650$45,350 - 95,68018%87%
10Sales managers31075,220$38,120 - 134,18010%69%
11Management analysts300 $[?] - 22%78%
12Industrial engineers30075,780$60,380 - 96,32020%74%
13Child, family, and school social workers28045,410$32,290 - 62,12019%77%
14Pharmacists27096,740$65,540 - 124,83022%97%
15Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products27062,240$29,090 - 116,81012%51%
16Social and human service assistants23025,370$17,670 - 35,21034%58%
17Education administrators, elementary and secondary school23061,680$43,820 - 86,6208%78%
18Lawyers22080,720$44,140 - 139,03011%99%
19Training and development specialists21056,460$37,730 - 78,20018%56%
20Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school21037,250$23,100 - 50,52020%87%
21Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents20085,600$33,930 - 25%67%
22Network and computer systems administrators20056,390$33,290 - 80,09027%50%
23Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists20042,530$26,080 - 63,53018%56%
24Graphic designers20032,790$16,380 - 50,22010%55%
25Medical and health services managers20089,160$54,410 - 16%57%
26Engineering managers19093,970$61,820 - 123,2607%84%
27Physical therapists17077,300$56,630 - 100,26027%89%
28Advertising sales agents16039,980$21,220 - 59,11020%56%
29Detectives and criminal investigators16048,670$32,690 - 80,78017%54%
30Educational, vocational, and school counselors16046,480$34,130 - 60,91013%73%
31Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation15043,350$29,030 - 61,9505%58%
32Computer programmers15062,210$42,650 - 81,8200%73%
33Self-enrichment education teachers15038,120$22,390 - 59,90023%54%
34Computer systems analysts15060,690$42,090 - 88,11029%68%
35Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists15053,830$35,760 - 73,92016%99%
36Chemists14043,490$27,410 - 67,0209%93%
37Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program13030,680$26,060 - 37,08024%78%
38Rehabilitation counselors13031,450$20,870 - 45,55023%73%
39Nuclear engineers13098,050$70,840 - 7%82%
40Computer software engineers, applications13070,340$34,500 - 121,62045%85%
41Financial analysts13055,270$39,010 - 83,00034%87%
42Speech-language pathologists13058,100$40,330 - 82,93011%98%
43Education administrators, postsecondary130 $[?] - 14%78%
44Public relations specialists13049,150$30,400 - 79,23018%81%
45Coaches and scouts13033,570$20,450 - 54,04015%60%
46Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists12036,160$28,930 - 43,68011%58%
47Managers, all other12080,110$45,160 - 128,2307%55%
48Physician assistants12083,010$67,050 - 101,77027%67%
49Occupational therapists11067,380$46,160 - 96,05023%90%
50Medical and clinical laboratory technologists11049,890$33,750 - 66,96012%51%
51Computer and information systems managers100 $[?] - 16%73%
52Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other10043,640$34,010 - 53,43015%72%
53Medical and clinical laboratory technicians10030,910$21,570 - 44,07015%51%
54Medical and public health social workers10040,850$31,780 - 50,63024%77%
55Librarians9047,290$30,990 - 64,0404%85%
56Instructional coordinators9048,420$34,560 - 62,60023%79%
57Community and social service specialists, all other8048,540$32,680 - 65,12025%58%
58Mental health counselors8050,480$40,360 - 74,12030%73%
59Environmental scientists and specialists, including health8052,010$37,140 - 75,34025%93%
60Veterinarians80 $[?] - 35%100%
61Floral designers8021,690$15,280 - 28,6500%55%
62Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other7050,930$34,380 - 77,10017%56%
63Producers and directors7042,270$21,380 - 75,89011%75%
64Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists7056,880$32,840 - 88,72018%56%
65Surveyors7063,000$44,170 - 90,99024%82%
66Reporters and correspondents7034,810$21,250 - 49,7601%85%
67Database administrators7051,180$38,190 - 71,94029%72%
68Editors7049,410$33,400 - 73,6502%81%
69Social and community service managers6059,850$41,320 - 83,01025%72%
70Vocational education teachers, secondary school6045,780$31,390 - 61,3700%96%
71Marketing managers6074,530$32,540 - 127,26014%69%
72Urban and regional planners6047,260$34,220 - 64,19015%92%
73Mental health and substance abuse social workers5038,900$28,490 - 49,77030%77%
74Education, training, and library workers, all other5036,270$18,460 - 59,37011%79%
75Dentists, general50205,020$119,110 - 9%100%
76Chief executives50168,640$98,930 - 2%65%
77Mechanical engineers5076,800$48,060 - 108,4104%78%
78Special education teachers, middle school4039,090$24,420 - 51,37016%87%
79Sales engineers4070,360$53,210 - 92,4709%79%
80Health educators4047,140$32,520 - 63,67026%58%
81Natural sciences managers40108,750$77,020 - 11%93%
82Dietitians and nutritionists4047,660$32,820 - 64,0409%72%
83Financial specialists, all other4054,450$32,380 - 73,54012%50%
84Credit analysts4067,330$39,150 - 101,8802%60%
85Personal financial advisors4070,640$42,990 - 111,75041%81%
86Technical writers4050,500$36,900 - 60,11020%74%
87Special education teachers, secondary school4039,040$30,680 - 48,6209%87%
88Purchasing managers4073,430$35,380 - 103,5203%57%
89Training and development managers30144,470$85,160 - 16%58%
90Meeting and convention planners3039,740$26,610 - 56,98020%67%
91Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors3063,670$37,530 - 96,63010%74%
92Computer specialists, all other3066,310$30,720 - 98,96015%68%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons6,14023,250$14,070 - 36,46012%25%
2Waiters and waitresses4,58017,180$13,230 - 25,07011%14%
3Cashiers4,19017,030$13,460 - 22,300-2%10%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food3,59015,480$13,220 - 18,92018%5%
5Home health aides2,69018,810$14,810 - 23,74049%7%
6Office clerks, general2,67023,800$15,110 - 34,47013%19%
7Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive2,43026,080$17,890 - 35,0301%18%
8Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,31020,650$14,020 - 30,9602%5%
9General and operations managers2,27099,730$44,270 - 2%48%
10First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers2,18035,040$20,110 - 50,1504%25%
11Customer service representatives2,12029,820$17,930 - 41,97025%22%
12Construction laborers1,87024,870$17,250 - 33,83011%5%
13Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,86020,660$14,370 - 29,63015%4%
14Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,83034,500$24,370 - 47,50015%18%
15Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,80029,620$20,980 - 39,79013%16%
16Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,73021,250$16,110 - 27,54018%6%
17Maintenance and repair workers, general1,62031,330$20,480 - 47,21010%6%
18Carpenters1,58031,100$22,120 - 41,46010%6%
19Cooks, restaurant1,51020,530$15,470 - 26,88012%5%
20First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,45042,700$27,290 - 63,2606%29%
21Teacher assistants1,44019,410$14,500 - 25,20010%18%
22Receptionists and information clerks1,43023,710$16,720 - 31,43017%13%
23Food preparation workers1,41017,890$13,920 - 23,10015%7%
24Stock clerks and order fillers1,41020,660$14,450 - 29,280-7%8%
25First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers1,37028,030$17,560 - 40,80011%14%
26Truck drivers, light or delivery services1,24028,300$17,150 - 44,4108%4%
27First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers1,23045,670$32,980 - 63,0809%10%
28Maids and housekeeping cleaners1,21017,020$13,390 - 22,50013%5%
29Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,21039,240$25,910 - 57,78010%4%
30Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,07015,130$13,150 - 18,38010%8%
31Security guards98022,900$15,510 - 34,91017%13%
32Team assemblers89022,790$15,780 - 31,1800%5%
33Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants88022,630$17,360 - 28,98018%7%
34Preschool teachers, except special education88018,930$15,530 - 24,08026%43%
35Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic84051,130$47,720 - 58,8400%3%
36Medical assistants77028,880$21,470 - 36,40035%10%
37Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop75016,480$13,440 - 20,18010%17%
38Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses75038,180$29,400 - 49,29014%7%
39Police and sheriff's patrol officers75036,540$26,940 - 48,40011%33%
40First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers75058,690$32,580 - 89,8107%13%
41Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks75025,180$16,720 - 34,6704%6%
42Automotive service technicians and mechanics74038,320$26,250 - 55,23014%4%
43Dishwashers71016,480$13,590 - 19,64010%3%
44Bus drivers, school69024,210$19,480 - 28,8509%4%
45Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters67032,330$26,910 - 40,06011%4%
46Amusement and recreation attendants67016,100$13,280 - 20,64024%22%
47Tellers65024,270$19,520 - 30,54014%16%
48Bartenders65019,060$13,480 - 28,24011%17%
49Electricians63036,300$28,020 - 44,9707%7%
50Billing and posting clerks and machine operators63027,890$20,470 - 37,5404%15%
51First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers61050,610$32,730 - 74,590-4%15%
52Packers and packagers, hand61016,440$13,320 - 21,480-11%3%
53Helpers--electricians61025,240$17,920 - 34,9407%3%
54Business operations specialists, all other58049,510$28,960 - 74,62021%49%
55Industrial truck and tractor operators58028,180$17,500 - 37,160-1%2%
56Painters, construction and maintenance55027,850$21,140 - 36,86012%6%
57Counter and rental clerks53023,700$13,770 - 37,18023%16%
58Driver/sales workers53020,560$13,270 - 38,800-4%4%
59Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers51016,270$13,360 - 20,14012%6%
60Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks47019,710$15,240 - 26,42017%14%
61Loan interviewers and clerks46028,510$21,840 - 35,5300%24%
62Correctional officers and jailers45030,840$26,080 - 39,13017%11%
63Healthcare support workers, all other43024,020$18,620 - 31,23016%10%
64Cooks, short order43017,300$13,450 - 23,0605%5%
65Cooks, institution and cafeteria41019,580$13,810 - 27,74011%5%
66Postal service mail carriers40043,610$33,260 - 57,5101%11%
67Construction managers39086,830$53,380 - 16%29%
68Bill and account collectors38031,700$21,950 - 41,58023%13%
69Loan officers38051,090$32,570 - 81,46012%49%
70Computer support specialists37037,360$25,600 - 51,88013%43%
71Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators37031,760$25,620 - 39,8208%3%
72Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37039,810$20,280 - 59,510-6%14%
73First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators36049,480$29,030 - 77,06010%17%
74Paralegals and legal assistants36034,290$27,450 - 40,96022%45%
75Parts salespersons35032,230$16,440 - 61,960-1%6%
76Cleaners of vehicles and equipment34019,330$13,470 - 28,71014%3%
77Real estate sales agents34066,070$32,720 - 116,01011%45%
78Dental assistants33032,270$26,290 - 41,40029%9%
79Sales representatives, services, all other33040,830$21,370 - 64,90028%48%
80Surveying and mapping technicians32029,830$20,940 - 42,01019%7%
81First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers31026,560$16,290 - 40,92013%11%
82Fire fighters31031,160$20,360 - 39,90012%18%
83Pharmacy technicians30023,490$17,280 - 34,11032%16%
84Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders29029,520$17,680 - 36,500-4%5%
85Radiologic technologists and technicians29044,200$32,390 - 58,85015%25%
86Medical secretaries29025,400$20,800 - 30,73017%18%
87Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists29016,240$13,260 - 21,87012%6%
88Real estate brokers28032,590$18,050 - 57,11011%45%
89First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers28039,670$27,200 - 51,04018%15%
90Cooks, fast food27018,100$13,540 - 23,7008%5%
91Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall26027,760$17,670 - 39,2208%0%
92Industrial machinery mechanics26047,640$28,820 - 71,6309%5%
93Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors26026,090$13,450 - 47,92027%47%
94Electrical power-line installers and repairers25058,180$43,820 - 74,1507%6%
95Food service managers25051,900$33,530 - 74,2505%24%
96Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers23024,540$18,900 - 31,78012%0%
97Laundry and dry-cleaning workers23017,260$14,260 - 19,80010%5%
98Insurance sales agents23055,160$22,720 - 121,24013%45%
99Civil engineering technicians23034,120$22,930 - 47,28010%18%
100Eligibility interviewers, government programs22031,950$25,690 - 40,2903%38%
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Wilmington CollegesWilmington Colleges
Wilmington colleges and trade schools.
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Wilmington property, mortgage, and real estate.

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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.*
Nuclear engineers98,05013024
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall27,76026016
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic51,13084012.7
Motorboat mechanics36,00012011.6
Real estate brokers32,5902806.8
Helpers--electricians25,2406106.4
Surveying and mapping technicians29,8303204.8
Tour guides and escorts21,9901004.7
Radio and television announcers28,2201004.3
Millwrights39,2101304
Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks 2003.9
Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers26,1101003.6
Crane and tower operators36,0701203.6
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers18,3802203.5
Pest control workers29,3902103.4
Home health aides18,8102,6903.4
Electrical power-line installers and repairers58,1802503.3
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary47,1001503.2
Eligibility interviewers, government programs31,9502203.2
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 2103
Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program30,6801302.8
Amusement and recreation attendants16,1006702.8
Civil engineering technicians34,1202302.8
Cooks, short order17,3004302.7
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers39,6702802.5
Healthcare support workers, all other24,0204302.4
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists36,1601202.4
Correctional officers and jailers30,8404502.3
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,7104702.3
Preschool teachers, except special education18,9308802.2
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers45,6701,2302.1
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other43,6401002.1
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop16,4807502
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives54,4301402
Painters, construction and maintenance27,8505502
Detectives and criminal investigators48,6701602
Physician assistants83,0101201.9
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop15,1301,0701.9
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing17,2801101.9
Waiters and waitresses17,1804,5801.9
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers35,0402,1801.9
Real estate sales agents66,0703401.9
Court, municipal, and license clerks32,0301501.8
Loan interviewers and clerks28,5104601.8
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers21,2501,7301.8
Veterinary technologists and technicians23,2201301.8
Helpers--carpenters24,7101501.8
Chemists43,4901401.8
Bus drivers, school24,2106901.8
Construction laborers24,8701,8701.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Wilmington, North Carolina Metro Area (2007 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic51,1301.63840
Recreation workers34,9201.49210
Real estate sales agents66,0701.39340
Architectural and civil drafters53,9501.26130
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers39,8101.21370
Property, real estate, and community association managers62,1301.19130
Training and development specialists56,4601.16210
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders29,5201.15290
Family and general practitioners180,2301.15140
Child, family, and school social workers45,4101.15280
Production, planning, and expediting clerks45,1901.13160
Accountants and auditors64,5001.12630
Electrical power-line installers and repairers58,1801.11250
Physical therapists77,3001.09170
Medical and health services managers89,1601.09200
Food service managers51,9001.09250
Automotive service technicians and mechanics38,3201.09740
Industrial machinery mechanics47,6401.09260
Physician assistants83,0101.08120
Cooks, fast food18,1001.08270
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer39,2401.081,210
Construction managers86,8301.08390
Industrial engineers75,7801.08300
Motor vehicle operators, all other29,1401.08110
Parts salespersons32,2301.07350
Food servers, nonrestaurant20,9101.07150
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents85,6001.07200
General and operations managers99,7301.062,270
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers58,6901.06750
Medical assistants28,8801.05770
Bill and account collectors31,7001.05380
Tellers24,2701.05650
Counter and rental clerks23,7001.05530
Printing machine operators33,6201.04140
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,7101.04470
Occupational therapists67,3801.04110
Helpers--production workers23,6201.03200
Dental assistants32,2701.03330
Customer service representatives29,8201.032,120
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists39,3501.03180
Truck drivers, light or delivery services28,3001.021,240
Bartenders19,0601.02650
Receptionists and information clerks23,7101.021,430
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers24,5401.02230
Self-enrichment education teachers38,1201.02150
New accounts clerks30,0301.01110
Nuclear engineers98,0501.01130
Insurance sales agents55,1601.01230
Dental hygienists62,5801.01200
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers68,1501190

Highest Paying Jobs in Wilmington, North Carolina Metro Area (2007 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Internists, general207,96040
Obstetricians and gynecologists206,850 
Dentists, general205,02050
Family and general practitioners180,230140
Chief executives168,64050
Physicians and surgeons, all other150,530160
Training and development managers144,47030
Natural sciences managers108,75040
General and operations managers99,7302,270
Nuclear engineers98,050130
Pharmacists96,740270
Engineering managers93,970190
Medical and health services managers89,160200
Financial managers88,560420
Industrial production managers87,03070
Construction managers86,830390
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents85,600200
Physician assistants83,010120
Lawyers80,720220
Managers, all other80,110120
Environmental engineers78,230 
Physical therapists77,300170
Mechanical engineers76,80050
Industrial engineers75,780300
Sales managers75,220310
Marketing managers74,53060
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers73,69080
Purchasing managers73,43040
Administrative services managers73,41080
Statisticians72,640 
Personal financial advisors70,64040
Sales engineers70,36040
Computer software engineers, applications70,340130
Civil engineers68,650310
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers68,150190
Occupational therapists67,380110
Credit analysts67,33040
Computer specialists, all other66,31030
Real estate sales agents66,070340
Business teachers, postsecondary64,99080
Accountants and auditors64,500630
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors63,67030
Architects, except landscape and naval63,560 
Computer science teachers, postsecondary63,39070
Surveyors63,00070
Dental hygienists62,580200
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products62,240270
Computer programmers62,210150
Property, real estate, and community association managers62,130130
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school61,680230

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