Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Laborer or Material Mover Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, laborers or material movers earned a median annual wage of $35,900 ($17.26/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,200/year and the 90th was $44,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,102 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,900$17.26 per hour · $2,992 monthly
10th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
25th Percentile$32,900$15.82/hr base
75th Percentile$41,700$20.05/hr base
90th Percentile$44,600$21.44/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,900
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,900
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,102After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,509Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,158Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,128 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$924 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,746 / yr

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$24,216
25th Percentile$15.82/hr$2,742$32,900$27,811
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$30,102
75th Percentile$20.05/hr$3,475$41,700$34,531
90th Percentile$21.44/hr$3,717$44,600$36,745

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio57.2%of area median income

Compare laborers or material movers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $35,900, which equates to approximately $2,992 per month or $17.26 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $17.26 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.56/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.44/hour.

What is the pay range for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for laborers or material movers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $28,200 at the 10th percentile to $32,900 at the 25th, $41,700 at the 75th, and $44,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do laborers or material movers take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $35,900, an estimated $30,102 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,158 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,798 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

How much do laborers or material movers make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $35,900, gross monthly income is $2,992. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,509 per month (or $1,158 every two weeks).

Is $35,900 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $35,900, the median salary for laborers or material movers is 57.2% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.