Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in North Carolina
Commercial and Industrial Designers in North Carolina earn a median of $80,620 a year ($38.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $83,910. North Carolina ranks 20th of 41 states for commercial and industrial designers pay. There are 0.20 commercial and industrial designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial and industrial designers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| 25th percentile | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Median | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| 75th percentile | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Average (mean) | $85,460 | $41.09 |
Half of commercial and industrial designers 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 | $6,718.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,359.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,100.77 |
| Weekly | $1,550.38 |
| Hourly | $38.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $88,190 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,620 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $83,770 | 300 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,070 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,640 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $77,820 | 140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,990 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for commercial and industrial designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 |
| Michigan | $102,160 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 |
| California | $100,770 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 |
| Washington | $94,280 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 |
| Georgia | $91,360 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fashion Designer | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $88,350 | $42.48 |
| Designers, All Other | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1021. 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 commercial and industrial designers make in North Carolina?
The median salary for commercial and industrial designers in North Carolina is $80,620 a year, or $38.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial and industrial designers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of commercial and industrial designers in North Carolina earn at least $134,040 a year. The top 25% earn $102,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial and industrial designers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,830 a year, and a quarter of commercial and industrial designers earn $61,750 or less.
How many commercial and industrial designers work in North Carolina?
About 1,000 commercial and industrial designers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.