Business · Raleigh, NC

Project Manager Salary in Raleigh, NC (2026)

Median Project Manager salary in Raleigh is approximately $98,000/year — 0.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Raleigh

$98,000
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$47
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$3,769
Monthly
$8,167
Annual (gross)
$98,000
vs North Carolina state average
State avg: $92,100
+$5,900
vs US national
National median: $98,000
+$0

After-tax estimate

$71,883
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$98,000
Federal tax (~14%)
−$13,720
FICA (7.65%)
−$7,497
North Carolina state tax
~5% effective
−$4,900
Estimated take-home
$71,883
Monthly take-home
$5,990
For exact take-home, use our Raleigh Paycheck Calculator.
Project Manager salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Raleigh
Wilmington, DE1.00×$98,000+$0
Virginia Beach, VA1.00×$98,000+$0
St. Paul, MN1.00×$98,000+$0
Chesapeake, VA1.00×$98,000+$0
North Las Vegas, NV1.00×$98,000+$0

Project Manager salaries in Raleigh, NC

The estimated median Project Manager salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $98,000/year, working out to approximately $47/hour at full-time, $3,769 per biweekly paycheck, or $8,167/month before taxes. Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the North Carolina state average for this role ($92,100), Raleigh pays about $5,900 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Raleigh

Of the gross $98,000, you take home roughly $71,883 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • North Carolina state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Raleigh has no local income tax

That works out to about $5,990/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Raleigh Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Raleigh pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Raleigh typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Raleigh employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Project Manager Salary in North Carolina — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Raleigh Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Project Manager salary in Raleigh?
The estimated median Project Manager salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $98,000 per year, or approximately $47/hour at standard full-time. Raleigh sits 0.0% above the US national average for this role.
Raleigh vs North Carolina state — what's the salary difference?
Raleigh: $98,000. North Carolina state average for Project Manager: $92,100. Difference: +$5,900 (6.4%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Raleigh have a city income tax?
No, Raleigh has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Raleigh's cost of living relative to the US average. Raleigh's multiplier is 1.00× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Project Manager in Raleigh?
Estimate: $71,883/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), North Carolina state tax (~5.0% effective), and Raleigh local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Raleigh Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.