Project Management Specialist salary in North Carolina
Project Management Specialists in North Carolina earn a median of $100,820 a year ($48.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 36,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,050 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,320. North Carolina ranks 20th of 51 states for project management specialists pay. There are 7.3 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| 25th percentile | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| Median | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| 75th percentile | $130,690 | $62.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,050 | $78.87 |
| Average (mean) | $107,630 | $51.74 |
Half of project management specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,200.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,877.69 |
| Weekly | $1,938.85 |
| Hourly | $48.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $105,200 | 11,570 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $104,920 | 6,040 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $104,870 | 3,180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $102,280 | 7,930 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,690 | 2,080 |
| Asheville, NC | $97,470 | 950 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,280 | 210 |
| Greenville, NC | $94,540 | 470 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $91,010 | 290 |
| Wilmington, NC | $89,120 | 1,220 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $88,780 | 160 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $85,490 | 490 |
| Burlington, NC | $83,370 | 250 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $82,680 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $79,560 | 1,530 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $79,240 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Management Analyst | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| Cost Estimator | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Logistician | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| Fundraiser | $66,100 | $31.78 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $86,270 | $41.48 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in North Carolina?
The median salary for project management specialists in North Carolina is $100,820 a year, or $48.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of project management specialists in North Carolina earn at least $164,050 a year. The top 25% earn $130,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,570 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $77,970 or less.
How many project management specialists work in North Carolina?
About 36,200 project management specialists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.