In the Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations earn an average annual salary of $51,780. This figure significantly trails the national average of $77,720, indicating a distinct regional compensation structure. Factors such as local industry demand, the cost of doing business, and the overall economic landscape of this nonmetropolitan region likely contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $51,780 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $81,460.
- Outlook: The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media sector in the Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area comprises approximately 2,700 workers. With a Location Quotient of 0.77, this field is slightly less concentrated than the national average, suggesting a moderate but not dominant presence within the local economy. The density of 10.538 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a steady, albeit not booming, demand for these specialized roles within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area earns-33.4%below the national average.
$24.9
$996
$4,315
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations across most regions have experienced steady growth over the past four years. This trend is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for creative and media services, and the continuous development of new technologies and platforms within these dynamic industries. Professionals in Western North Carolina can likely anticipate similar incremental salary increases.
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
Salary progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations is strongly tied to experience and skill specialization. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior roles, requiring extensive portfolios, leadership experience, and specialized expertise, command significantly higher compensation. The percentile gaps in salary distribution, though not detailed here, are expected to reflect this clear career trajectory, with experienced professionals earning substantially more than their junior counterparts.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $25,070 | $12.1 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $38,835 | $18.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $41,600 | $20 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $64,725 | $31.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $81,460 | $39.2 |
Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$51,780
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$51,780
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $51,780 in the Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This suggests that, on average, the purchasing power of this salary within the region is comparable to the national average. While this indicates a balanced economic environment, it also means that the lower salary compared to the national average is offset by a similar cost of living, making it neither exceptionally advantageous nor disadvantageous from a pure cost-of-living perspective.
Job Market Context
2,700
Total Jobs
10.538
Per 1K Jobs
0.77
Location Quotient
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area has 0.77x 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.
A Location Quotient of 0.77 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in this nonmetropolitan area indicates that the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average. This suggests that while the field is present and provides employment opportunities, it is not a dominant industry hub. Consequently, the job market may be less competitive in terms of sheer volume of applicants for any given role, but also potentially offers fewer specialized or high-level positions compared to more concentrated metropolitan areas.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Comparing salaries near Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area?
The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is $51,780. This typically ranges from $25,070 for entry-level positions to $81,460 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is 33.4% lower than the national median of $77,720.
Is Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
No, it is not exceptionally lucrative compared to national averages.The average salary of $51,780 is considerably lower than the national average of $77,720. While the cost of living is at the national average, the lower nominal pay suggests less lucrative opportunities in this specific region.
Is Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area?
Some top paying nearby cities include Greensboro-High Point, NC ($73,420) and Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC.
How does the local workforce size impact job opportunities?
A local workforce of 2,700 in this sector suggests a moderately sized industry. While this provides a base for employment, it may indicate fewer specialized roles or opportunities for rapid career advancement compared to larger, more diverse markets.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.77 signify?
A Location Quotient of 0.77 means that Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations are 23% less concentrated in this nonmetropolitan area than the national average. This implies a smaller, though still present, industry footprint.
How does the cost of living affect the $51,780 salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the $51,780 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average. This means the lower nominal salary is balanced by a comparable cost of goods and services in the region.
Are there many jobs per 1,000 workers in this field locally?
There are 10.538 jobs per 1,000 workers, indicating a steady presence of these occupations within the local labor market. This number suggests consistent, but not overwhelming, demand for talent in the sector.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,700 employees in the Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 10.538 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 Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area