worthsay

Supply Chain Management Salary in North Carolina: Is It a Good Career?

North Carolina · 2026 BLS salary data

Supply Chain Management pay in North Carolina

The median wage is $80,780/yr — 2% below the national median. Among U.S. states, North Carolinaranks #26 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in North Carolina

Real BLS state-level figures for Supply Chain Management.

Median salary
$80,780/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$65,350 – $106,240
National median
$82,320/yr
Employed in North Carolina
7,860

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in North Carolina

Salary alone can mislead — North Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
94.3
Nominal median
$80,780
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $85,663
State income tax
Up to 4.25%

Because North Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #22 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #26 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do supply chain management professionals make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage is $80,780 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $65,350 and $106,240. That's 2% below the national median.

Is North Carolina a good state for supply chain management?

By raw pay, North Carolina ranks #26 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (North Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $85,663. Because North Carolina costs 6% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #22 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #26 on raw salary.

Are supply chain management professionals in demand in North Carolina?

About 7,860 people work in this field in North Carolina (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +16.7% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Supply Chain Management nationally — North Carolina pay is 2% below the national median. See the full Supply Chain Management career guide →

The verdict

Yes — supply chain and logistics offers strong, much-faster-than-average growth, solid pay, and broad demand that's only risen since recent global disruptions. It's a practical, in-demand field, though it can be high-pressure and less widely understood than flashier careers.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Solid pay with clear advancement
  • Rising strategic importance since global disruptions
  • Broad demand across manufacturing and retail
  • Accessible entry; certifications help

Cons

  • High-pressure when disruptions hit
  • Can involve long or irregular hours
  • Less understood/visible than flashier fields
  • Some roles require on-site presence
  • Metrics- and deadline-driven

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who like operations and optimization
  • Those wanting strong growth and demand
  • Anyone drawn to practical, real-world problems

✗ Probably not if…

  • People wanting highly creative work
  • Those who dislike operational pressure

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Supply Chain Management is worth it — titles link to the original threads.