In Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations earn an impressive average annual salary of $98,960. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $77,720, indicating a localized demand and potentially higher value placed on these creative and media roles within the region. The specific economic drivers and industry concentration in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton likely contribute to this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $98,960 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 119.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $98,920.
- Outlook: The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations sector in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, comprises a local workforce of 1,200 individuals. With a Location Quotient of 0.57, the concentration of these jobs is below the national average, suggesting that while present, this sector is not as densely populated as in other areas. However, the 7.745 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a steady, albeit not dominant, presence within the local labor market.
Salary Overview
The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC earns+27.3%above the national average.
$47.6
$1,903
$8,247
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for the last four years is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries within the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations sector in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton have experienced growth, mirroring national trends. Economic development and evolving industry demands typically lead to salary increases over time, especially for specialized roles, suggesting a positive trajectory for compensation in this field.
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Career progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, is typically marked by a significant salary increase from entry-level to senior positions. While exact percentile data is unavailable, the substantial gap between starting salaries and those earned by seasoned professionals reflects the value placed on experience, specialized skills, and leadership. This salary scaling incentivizes professional development and long-term commitment to the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $28,730 | $13.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $74,220 | $35.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $48,150 | $23.1 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $123,700 | $59.5 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $98,920 | $47.6 |
Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$98,960
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$98,960
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $98,960 in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, is particularly attractive when considered against the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the purchasing power of the salary earned by professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations is equivalent to the national standard, allowing for a comparable lifestyle without the added financial strain of a higher cost of living.
Job Market Context
1,200
Total Jobs
7.745
Per 1K Jobs
0.57
Location Quotient
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has 0.57x the national average concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.57 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, indicates that this sector is less concentrated locally compared to the national average. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the market may be less saturated with professionals in these fields, potentially offering a unique advantage for skilled individuals seeking employment or career advancement.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Comparing salaries near Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $98,960. This typically ranges from $28,730 for entry-level positions to $98,920 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 27.3% higher than the national median of $77,720.
Is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
Yes, it offers above-average compensation.Professionals in these fields earn an average of $98,960 annually, significantly higher than the national average. Coupled with a cost of living at the national average, this makes the area financially attractive.
Is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($70,540) and Spartanburg, SC.
How does the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton salary compare to the national average?
The average salary of $98,960 in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations is substantially higher than the national average of $77,720.
What is the concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The Location Quotient of 0.57 indicates that these occupations are less concentrated in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, compared to the national average.
How does the cost of living in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC affect salary perception?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local cost of living matches the national average, meaning the $98,960 salary has strong purchasing power equivalent to the national standard.
What does the job market size suggest for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in this area?
The total local workforce of 1,200 in these fields, with 7.745 jobs per 1,000 workers, suggests a stable but not overwhelmingly large presence of these occupations in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,200 employees in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area with a job density of 7.745 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC