Wilmington Employment

Employment and Industries in the Wilmington, North Carolina Area

Wilmington is part of North Carolina's research coast, one of the nation's largest and most successful research centers. Wilmington's industrial base includes sectors such as medical, electrical, clothing, electronic and telecommunications equipment, paper products and food processing. Wilmington is also home to EUE Screen Gems Studios, one of the largest TV and movie production facilities outside of California.

The primary employment segments in Wilmington are healthcare, educational services, construction, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and professional services and social assistance.

Wilmington has numerous jobs where the majority of the workers are college graduates including registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, management analysts, financial managers; child, family and school social workers; social and human service assistants and sales managers.

Facts regarding Wilmington, North Carolina: For the population 25 years of age and older, 31% have a bachelor's degree or better. In 2008 the cost of living index was at 94.6 (national average: 100). In Wilmington, the median household income in 2007 was $40,000.

The top employers located in Wilmington, North Carolina:

  • New Hanover Regional Medical Center/Cape Fear Hospital
  • New Hanover County Schools
  • General Electric
  • University of NC Wilmington
  • PPD, Inc
  • New Hanover County
  • Verizon Wireless
  • City of Wilmington
  • Walmart
  • Progress Energy
  • Corning, Inc
  • AAIPharma
  • DEL Laboratories
  • International Paper
  • Wachovia
  • LL Building Products
  • KoSa
  • Louisiana Pacific Corp
  • Star News
  • Invista
  • Bedford Fair Industries
  • International Paper Carton Div
  • Elementis Chromium LP
  • Castle Branch
  • Chemtex Engineers

Local businesses are invited to work with helpful associations such as:

The Star News Online offers information regarding the latest business endeavors in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jobs in Wilmington

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations132490$44,770$21.53100
2Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations17860$22,570$10.858.7
3Office and Administrative Support Occupations16830$36,680$17.6313.75
4Sales and Related Occupations15870$38,610$18.569.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations9390$33,060$15.96.7
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations9230$73,600$35.385.85
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations7610$49,230$23.676
8Retail Salespersons6770$30,860$14.842.7
9Healthcare Support Occupations6720$28,210$13.562.85
10Construction and Extraction Occupations6380$41,540$19.974.6
11Management Occupations5860$112,330$546.35
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations5590$46,200$22.213.75
13Fast Food and Counter Workers5430$20,050$9.642.45
14Business and Financial Operations Occupations4900$69,440$33.385.35
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations4870$26,720$12.853.6
16Production Occupations4830$38,520$18.525.6
17Registered Nurses3470$61,260$29.451.95
18Waiters and Waitresses3400$21,090$10.141.65
19Cashiers3180$22,440$10.792.2
20Computer and Mathematical Occupations2860$73,100$35.153
21Office Clerks, General2780$30,440$14.631.9
22Personal Care and Service Occupations2750$26,810$12.894.65
23Protective Service Occupations2440$42,160$20.272.2
24Community and Social Service Occupations2200$47,940$23.051.75
25Customer Service Representatives2180$34,890$16.771.75
26Cooks, Restaurant2160$24,320$11.690.9
27Nursing Assistants1970$25,120$12.080.95
28Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1960$66,210$31.830.8
29General and Operations Managers1950$113,500$54.571.5
30Home Health and Personal Care Aides1950$22,920$11.020
31Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand1920$27,750$13.341.8
32Architecture and Engineering Occupations1890$85,930$41.311.7
33Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive1840$36,400$17.51.4
34Stockers and Order Fillers1640$29,060$13.971.25
35Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1560$23,890$11.491.5
36Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1510$22,370$10.750.9
37Receptionists and Information Clerks1490$29,420$14.140.7
38First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers1380$53,120$25.540.95
39Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations1370$47,110$22.651.8
40Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1360$42,020$20.21.05
41First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers1310$44,530$21.410.95
42Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers1280$39,840$19.151.2
43Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products1260$66,030$31.750.85
44First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1240$60,280$28.980.4
45First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1230$36,050$17.330.6
46Bartenders1210$25,080$12.060.4
47Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1200$29,650$14.260.75
48Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1110$37,790$18.170.9
49Light Truck Drivers1070$33,900$16.30.6
50Construction Laborers990$32,860$15.80.9
51Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers960$83,780$40.280.65
52Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel950$55,620$26.740.7
53Accountants and Auditors940$74,710$35.920.9
54Food Preparation Workers920$23,440$11.270.5
55Carpenters850$38,580$18.550.6
56Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers850$20,120$9.670.3
57Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop800$17,810$8.560.3
58Medical Assistants780$32,920$15.830.45
59Cooks, Fast Food730$18,850$9.060.3
60Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics720$38,030$18.280.5
61Driver/Sales Workers690$34,490$16.580.3
62Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other660$71,690$34.470.7
63Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators650$28,830$13.860.8
64Computer User Support Specialists630$52,740$25.350.4
65Amusement and Recreation Attendants620$19,870$9.550.2
66Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers620$45,440$21.850.4
67Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists570$22,250$10.70.4
68Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants570$34,110$16.40.4
69Construction Managers560$100,240$48.190.3
70Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks560$29,410$14.140.4
71Substitute Teachers, Short-Term560$26,280$12.630.4
72Electricians540$41,180$19.80.45
73Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers530$48,890$23.510.2
74Loan Officers530$82,180$39.510.2
75Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks510$21,220$10.20.15
76Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses500$46,630$22.420.5
77First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers490$66,910$32.170.3
78Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education470$23,920$11.50.3
79Lawyers430$85,330$41.020.5
80Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other430$35,010$16.830
81Security Guards430$32,270$15.510.7
82Social and Human Service Assistants430$39,780$19.130.3
83Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors430$49,560$23.830.2
84Medical and Health Services Managers420$114,130$54.870.3
85Firefighters410$31,400$15.090.2
86First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors410$56,410$27.120.3
87Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other410$113,310$54.480.7
88Counter and Rental Clerks400$28,590$13.750.3
89Correctional Officers and Jailers390$37,100$17.830.25
90Dishwashers390$19,570$9.410.3
91Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other390$44,140$21.220.1
92Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric390$183,060$88.010.3
93Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters390$46,470$22.340.3
94Billing and Posting Clerks380$36,970$17.780.3
95Civil Engineers380$83,840$40.310.2
96Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators380$40,030$19.250.25
97Paralegals and Legal Assistants380$41,320$19.870.2
98Pharmacy Technicians380$32,110$15.440.3
99First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers360$63,050$30.310.4
100Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators360$35,230$16.940.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Wilmington Colleges
Wilmington colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Wilmington Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$44,770132,490
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$22,57017,860
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,68016,830
Sales and Related Occupations$38,61015,870
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$33,0609,390
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$73,6009,230
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$49,2307,610
Retail Salespersons$30,8606,770
Healthcare Support Occupations$28,2106,720
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,5406,380
Management Occupations$112,3305,860
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,2005,590
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,0505,430
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$69,4404,900
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,7204,870
Production Occupations$38,5204,830
Registered Nurses$61,2603,470
Waiters and Waitresses$21,0903,400
Cashiers$22,4403,180
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$73,1002,860
Office Clerks, General$30,4402,780
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,8102,750
Protective Service Occupations$42,1602,440
Community and Social Service Occupations$47,9402,200
Customer Service Representatives$34,8902,180
Cooks, Restaurant$24,3202,160
Nursing Assistants$25,1201,970
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,2101,960
General and Operations Managers$113,5001,950
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$22,9201,950
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,7501,920
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$85,9301,890
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$36,4001,840
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,0601,640
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$23,8901,560
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$22,3701,510
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,4201,490
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$53,1201,380
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$47,1101,370
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,0201,360
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,5301,310
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,8401,280
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,0301,260
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$60,2801,240
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,0501,230
Bartenders$25,0801,210
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$29,6501,200
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$37,7901,110
Light Truck Drivers$33,9001,070
Construction Laborers$32,860990

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$44,770132,490
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,68016,830
Sales and Related Occupations$38,61015,870
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$33,0609,390
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$73,6009,230
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$49,2307,610
Retail Salespersons$30,8606,770
Healthcare Support Occupations$28,2106,720
Construction and Extraction Occupations$41,5406,380
Management Occupations$112,3305,860
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,2005,590
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$69,4404,900
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$26,7204,870
Production Occupations$38,5204,830
Registered Nurses$61,2603,470
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$73,1002,860
Office Clerks, General$30,4402,780
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,8102,750
Protective Service Occupations$42,1602,440
Community and Social Service Occupations$47,9402,200
Customer Service Representatives$34,8902,180
Nursing Assistants$25,1201,970
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,2101,960
General and Operations Managers$113,5001,950
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$27,7501,920
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$85,9301,890
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$36,4001,840
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,0601,640
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,4201,490
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$53,1201,380
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$47,1101,370
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,0201,360
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,5301,310
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$39,8401,280
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,0301,260
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$60,2801,240
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,0501,230
Bartenders$25,0801,210
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$29,6501,200
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$37,7901,110
Light Truck Drivers$33,9001,070
Construction Laborers$32,860990
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$83,780960
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$55,620950
Accountants and Auditors$74,710940
Carpenters$38,580850
Medical Assistants$32,920780
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$38,030720
Driver/Sales Workers$34,490690
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$71,690660

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