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

Retail Salesperson Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $29,400 ($14.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,600/year and the 90th was $43,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,139 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,400$14.13 per hour · $2,450 monthly
10th Percentile$21,600$10.38/hr base
25th Percentile$26,000$12.50/hr base
75th Percentile$34,600$16.63/hr base
90th Percentile$43,200$20.77/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

$29,400
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,400
Net 86%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,139After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,095Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$967Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,348 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$664 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,249 / yr

Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$10.38/hr$1,800$21,600$19,044
25th Percentile$12.50/hr$2,167$26,000$22,492
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.13/hr$2,450$29,400$25,139
75th Percentile$16.63/hr$2,883$34,600$29,109
90th Percentile$20.77/hr$3,600$43,200$35,676

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,400 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 Ratio46.8%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $29,400, which equates to approximately $2,450 per month or $14.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $14.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.77/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $21,600 at the 10th percentile to $26,000 at the 25th, $34,600 at the 75th, and $43,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $29,400, an estimated $25,139 lands in net take-home pay per year ($967 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,261 (an effective rate of 14.5%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $29,400, gross monthly income is $2,450. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,095 per month (or $967 every two weeks).

Is $29,400 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $29,400, the median salary for retail salespersons is 46.8% 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.