Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina

Written by:
September 22, 2025
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

Fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.

Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.

Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.

The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.

Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. 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.

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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#50. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.5% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,570
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,090

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AlesiaKan // Shutterstock

#49. Health Education Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.2% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,830
--- Employment in 2023: 1,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,720

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MS Mikel // Shutterstock

#48. Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,200
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,460

4 / 50
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

#47. Network and Computer Systems Administrators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.9% (2,850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,080
--- Employment in 2023: 10,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $97,590

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aboutsung // Shutterstock

#46. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.2% (2,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,190
--- Employment in 2023: 7,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,300

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branislavpudar // Shutterstock

#45. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.7% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,210
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,550

7 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#44. Financial Clerks, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.1% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 790
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,220

8 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#43. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.7% (1,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,450
--- Employment in 2023: 3,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,190

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zhu difeng // Shutterstock

#42. Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.4% (1,510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,480
--- Employment in 2023: 4,970
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,570

10 / 50
Virrage Images // Shutterstock

#41. Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.5% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,700

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Lucky Business // Shutterstock

#40. Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.0% (2,360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,970
--- Employment in 2023: 7,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,080

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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#39. Community Health Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.1% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,600
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,930

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manine99 // Shutterstock

#38. Maintenance Workers, Machinery

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.1% (950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,390

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luchschenF // Shutterstock

#37. Life Scientists, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.5% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $123,500

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REDPIXEL.PL // Shutterstock

#36. Commercial and Industrial Designers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.6% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 920
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,330

16 / 50
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#35. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.7% (1,510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,130
--- Employment in 2023: 4,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,560

17 / 50
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock

#34. Rehabilitation Counselors

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.5% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,470
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,670

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Noin90650 // Shutterstock

#33. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.9% (950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,670
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,410

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Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock

#32. Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.6% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,830
--- Employment in 2023: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,160

20 / 50
MarijaBazarova // Shutterstock

#31. Skincare Specialists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.5% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,170
--- Employment in 2023: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,120

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Socrates471 // Shutterstock

#30. Audio and Video Technicians

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.8% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,710
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,870

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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#29. Production Workers, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.7% (5,140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 17,760
--- Employment in 2023: 12,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,200

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Dagmara_K // Shutterstock

#28. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.1% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,860
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,460

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kanemme6 // Shutterstock

#27. Tire Repairers and Changers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.2% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,180
--- Employment in 2023: 2,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,570

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ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#26. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +44.8% (14,100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 45,540
--- Employment in 2023: 31,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,930

26 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#25. Chief Executives

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +45.3% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,500
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#24. Engineers, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +46.4% (1,340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,230
--- Employment in 2023: 2,890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,960

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DGLimages // Shutterstock

#23. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.4% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,700
--- Employment in 2023: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,730

29 / 50
Leika production // Shutterstock

#22. Couriers and Messengers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.8% (1,250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,760
--- Employment in 2023: 2,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,260

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Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#21. Data Scientists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +52.7% (3,500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 10,140
--- Employment in 2023: 6,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $115,380

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VH-studio // Shutterstock

#20. School Psychologists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.3% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,100
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $70,090

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angellodeco // Shutterstock

#19. Microbiologists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.5% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,320
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,170

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Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#18. Social and Human Service Assistants

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +55.3% (2,950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,280
--- Employment in 2023: 5,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,470

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N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

#17. Computer Occupations, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +55.8% (4,890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,660
--- Employment in 2023: 8,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,240

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M2020 // Shutterstock

#16. Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +57.8% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,310
--- Employment in 2023: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,620

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shocky // Shutterstock

#15. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.1% (3,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,420
--- Employment in 2023: 5,960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,650

37 / 50
Nature's Charm // Shutterstock

#14. Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.7% (1,830 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,950
--- Employment in 2023: 3,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,320

38 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#13. Private Detectives and Investigators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.1% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,370
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,190

39 / 50
SGr // Shutterstock

#12. Machine Feeders and Offbearers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +65.0% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,120

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Suteren // Shutterstock

#11. Dietetic Technicians

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +72.9% (620 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,470
--- Employment in 2023: 850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,520

41 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#10. Teachers and Instructors, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +74.8% (1,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,430
--- Employment in 2023: 1,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,550

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MAVV // Shutterstock

#9. Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +75.3% (1,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,700
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,690

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fizkes // Shutterstock

#8. New Accounts Clerks

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.5% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,730
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,840

44 / 50
Aleksander Krsmanovic // Shutterstock

#7. Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.8% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,690
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,080

45 / 50
Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#6. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +88.1% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,910

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Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock

#5. Crossing Guards and Flaggers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +107.1% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,030
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,290

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Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock

#4. Marriage and Family Therapists

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +134.4% (1,210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,110
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,910

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kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock

#3. Chemical Plant and System Operators

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +135.4% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,130
--- Employment in 2023: 480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,630

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#2. Lodging Managers

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +154.0% (970 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,600
--- Employment in 2023: 630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,640

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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#1. Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +200.0% (1,300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,950
--- Employment in 2023: 650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,700

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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