Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina

Written by:
April 15, 2024
Stacker // Canva

Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What's more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in North Carolina.

1 / 50
Canva

#50. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.2% (7,780 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 41,260
--- Employment in 2022: 33,480
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $62,150

2 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#49. Public relations managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.4% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Employment in 2022: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $127,180

3 / 50
Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

#48. Logisticians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.5% (1,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 7,680
--- Employment in 2022: 6,220
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $75,100

4 / 50
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#47. Food service managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.6% (1,730 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 9,060
--- Employment in 2022: 7,330
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $65,560

5 / 50
Akarawut // Shutterstock

#46. Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.9% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,850
--- Employment in 2022: 2,300
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $45,240

6 / 50
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#45. Data scientists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.1% (1,290 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 6,640
--- Employment in 2022: 5,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $126,940

7 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#44. Clinical and counseling psychologists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.2% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,260
--- Employment in 2022: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,630

8 / 50
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#43. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.4% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,880
--- Employment in 2022: 3,120
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $28,400

9 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#42. Public relations specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.8% (1,640 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,260
--- Employment in 2022: 6,620
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $62,090

10 / 50
guruXOX // Shutterstock

#41. Producers and directors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.9% (600 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,010
--- Employment in 2022: 2,410
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,590

11 / 50
Canva

#40. Floral designers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.3% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Employment in 2022: 950
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $33,960

12 / 50
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#39. Occupational therapists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.2% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 4,250
--- Employment in 2022: 3,340
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $91,100

13 / 50
Canva

#38. Glaziers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.5% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Employment in 2022: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $41,570

14 / 50
Canva

#37. Property appraisers and assessors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.5% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,410
--- Employment in 2022: 1,890
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,610

15 / 50
Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#36. Parking attendants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.7% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,630
--- Employment in 2022: 2,060
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $29,820

16 / 50
Canva

#35. Sales managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.8% (3,150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 14,480
--- Employment in 2022: 11,330
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $125,270

17 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#34. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.0% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,470
--- Employment in 2022: 2,690
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $100,610

18 / 50
DGLimages // Shutterstock

#33. Mental health and substance abuse social workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.1% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,820
--- Employment in 2022: 1,410
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $53,220

19 / 50
Stokkete // Shutterstock

#32. File clerks

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.7% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,790
--- Employment in 2022: 1,380
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,110

20 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#31. Real estate brokers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.9% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,870
--- Employment in 2022: 2,980
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $91,220

21 / 50
Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

#30. Facilities managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.9% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,520
--- Employment in 2022: 2,710
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $98,110

22 / 50
Kzenon // Shutterstock

#29. Optometrists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.0% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,310
--- Employment in 2022: 1,000
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $154,560

23 / 50
Canva

#28. Surveying and mapping technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.1% (1,310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,270
--- Employment in 2022: 3,960
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $45,070

24 / 50
N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

#27. Computer occupations, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.3% (2,190 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,770
--- Employment in 2022: 6,580
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $83,840

25 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#26. Fundraisers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.3% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,920
--- Employment in 2022: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $57,990

26 / 50
Rido // Shutterstock

#25. Social workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +34.8% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Employment in 2022: 1,150
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $59,320

27 / 50
Gorgev // Shutterstock

#24. First-line supervisors of security workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.3% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,110
--- Employment in 2022: 1,560
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $58,360

28 / 50
Canva

#23. Bakers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +36.2% (2,300 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,660
--- Employment in 2022: 6,360
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $28,220

29 / 50
Anna Jurkovska // Shutterstock

#22. Orderlies

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.0% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,670
--- Employment in 2022: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,560

30 / 50
Canva

#21. Couriers and messengers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.7% (700 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,510
--- Employment in 2022: 1,810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $34,780

31 / 50
GolF2532 // Shutterstock

#20. Security and fire alarm systems installers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.6% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,170
--- Employment in 2022: 2,270
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,330

32 / 50
goodluz // Shutterstock

#19. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.8% (1,830 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 6,430
--- Employment in 2022: 4,600
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $98,520

33 / 50
Canva

#18. Family medicine physicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.9% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,280
--- Employment in 2022: 1,630
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $229,620

34 / 50
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#17. Financial examiners

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +40.5% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,810
--- Employment in 2022: 2,000
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $97,870

35 / 50
Hitdelight // Shutterstock

#16. Architectural and civil drafters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +41.2% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,290
--- Employment in 2022: 2,330
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $58,530

36 / 50
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#15. Library technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +41.7% (800 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Employment in 2022: 1,920
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,680

37 / 50
VE.Studio // Shutterstock

#14. Natural sciences managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +42.1% (1,850 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 6,240
--- Employment in 2022: 4,390
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $163,910

38 / 50
Freedy // Shutterstock

#13. Surveyors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +43.3% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Employment in 2022: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $64,800

39 / 50
Skycolors // Shutterstock

#12. Commercial pilots

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +49.4% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Employment in 2022: 850
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $108,680

40 / 50
Canva

#11. Cargo and freight agents

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +52.2% (1,310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,820
--- Employment in 2022: 2,510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $45,040

41 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#10. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +61.5% (11,970 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 31,440
--- Employment in 2022: 19,470
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $38,860

42 / 50
Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock

#9. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +69.8% (600 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,460
--- Employment in 2022: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $42,230

43 / 50
NIKCOA // Shutterstock

#8. Medical transcriptionists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +70.4% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,380
--- Employment in 2022: 810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $28,150

44 / 50
Jason Person // Shutterstock

#7. Cooks, short order

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +71.5% (1,230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,950
--- Employment in 2022: 1,720
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $24,810

45 / 50
Canva

#6. Engine and other machine assemblers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +87.4% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,930
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $56,340

46 / 50
LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#5. Brokerage clerks

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +96.3% (790 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,610
--- Employment in 2022: 820
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $57,750

47 / 50
4 PM production // Shutterstock

#4. Flight attendants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +97.5% (1,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,890
--- Employment in 2022: 1,970
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $61,450

48 / 50
Canva

#3. General internal medicine physicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +125.3% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,780
--- Employment in 2022: 790
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

49 / 50
luchschenF // Shutterstock

#2. Biochemists and biophysicists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +150.0% (600 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,000
--- Employment in 2022: 400
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

50 / 50
Canva

#1. Biological scientists, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +178.5% (2,410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,760
--- Employment in 2022: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $95,070

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

Trending Now