Overview Salaries

Salaries in Clayton, NC

Updated on Oct 11, 2025
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Salary

What is the average salary in Clayton, NC?

The average salary in Clayton, NC is $54,843 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Clayton, NC, showing an average salary of $54,843 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Clayton, NC, showing an average salary of $4,570 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Clayton, NC, showing an average salary of $1,055 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Clayton, NC, showing an average salary of $26 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Clayton, NC, offers a diverse job market with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in Clayton is $54,843. This figure reflects the range of opportunities available across different industries. Many job seekers find that the salaries in Clayton align well with the cost of living, making it a favorable place to work.


The salary distribution in Clayton shows a broad range of earnings. The most common salaries fall between $22,000 and $157,500 per year. Here are some key points about the salary distribution:

  • The largest percentage of jobs, 25.10%, pay around $22,000.
  • Another significant portion, 25.11%, offer salaries close to $34,318.
  • Jobs in the middle range, around $46,636, make up 12.89% of the market.
  • Higher-paying jobs, such as those offering $120,545, represent 1.76% of the total.
  • The highest salaries, up to $157,500, are available but make up a small part of the market at 0.90%.

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What are the best paying jobs in Clayton, NC?

Clayton, NC, offers a variety of high-paying jobs for skilled professionals. Among the top-paying positions are CDL Drivers, who earn an average of $96,284 annually. Behavior Analysts also enjoy a strong salary, with an average of $83,692 per year. These roles provide excellent opportunities for those with the right qualifications and experience. Other well-compensated jobs in Clayton include Registered Nurses, earning around $73,586 per year, and General Managers, with an average salary of $61,068. These positions reflect the diverse economic landscape of Clayton, offering competitive pay across different industries. Job seekers can find rewarding career paths with good earning potential in this area.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Clayton, NC, highlighting CDL Driver with the highest at $96,284 and Merchandiser with the lowest at $49,959.

  1. CDL Driver
    Average Salary: $96,284
    Drive large vehicles for transporting goods. Companies like Clayton Logistics offer good pay. Work involves long hours and requires a commercial driver's license.
    Find CDL Driver jobs in Clayton, NC


  2. Behavior Analyst
    Average Salary: $83,692
    Help individuals improve their behavior. Work with schools and clinics. Clayton Behavioral Services provides a supportive environment. Requires a master's degree and certification.
    Find Behavior Analyst jobs in Clayton, NC


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $73,586
    Provide patient care in hospitals and clinics. Clayton Health Center offers a welcoming workplace. Requires a nursing degree and state licensure. Involves long shifts and critical decision-making.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Clayton, NC


  4. Retail Sales Associate
    Average Salary: $62,909
    Help customers find products and complete sales. Work in stores like Clayton Market. Requires good communication skills. Involves standing for long periods and handling customer inquiries.
    Find Retail Sales Associate jobs in Clayton, NC


  5. Licensed Practical Nurse
    Average Salary: $62,681
    Provide basic patient care. Work in clinics and hospitals. Clayton Medical Group offers a supportive environment. Requires a practical nursing degree and state licensure. Involves working with registered nurses and doctors.
    Find Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Clayton, NC


  6. General Manager
    Average Salary: $61,068
    Oversee daily operations of a business. Manage staff and ensure smooth operations. Clayton Diner offers a dynamic environment. Requires experience in management and strong leadership skills.
    Find General Manager jobs in Clayton, NC


  7. Hair Stylist
    Average Salary: $54,775
    Cut, style, and color hair. Work in salons like Clayton Beauty Parlor. Requires a cosmetology license. Involves standing for long hours and using various tools and products.
    Find Hair Stylist jobs in Clayton, NC


  8. Maintenance Mechanic
    Average Salary: $54,058
    Repair and maintain equipment. Work in factories and warehouses. Clayton Manufacturing offers a stable environment. Requires technical skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues.
    Find Maintenance Mechanic jobs in Clayton, NC


  9. Elementary Teacher
    Average Salary: $51,368
    Teach young students basic subjects. Work in local schools. Clayton Elementary provides a nurturing environment. Requires a teaching degree and state certification.
    Find Elementary Teacher jobs in Clayton, NC


  10. Merchandiser
    Average Salary: $49,959
    Arrange products in stores to attract customers. Work in retail stores. Clayton Retail offers a dynamic environment. Requires good organizational skills and attention to detail.
    Find Merchandiser jobs in Clayton, NC

What are the best paying jobs in Clayton, NC without a degree?

Clayton, NC offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a degree. Landscapers earn an average of $38,417 annually, providing a solid income with the opportunity to work outdoors. Housekeeping and lawn care technicians also offer good salaries, with averages of $36,350 and $32,769, respectively. These positions allow individuals to earn a competitive wage while gaining valuable experience. Floor techs, fryers, and to go specialists can expect to earn around $31,846, $29,900, and $29,353, respectively. Line cooks, dishwashers, servers, and baristas offer average salaries ranging from $28,008 to $27,415. These roles provide a chance to work in a dynamic environment and develop essential skills.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Clayton, NC without a degree, highlighting Landscaper with the highest at $38,417 and Barista with the lowest at $26,495.

  1. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $38,417
    This role involves maintaining and enhancing outdoor spaces. It includes tasks like planting, mowing, and trimming. Companies in Clayton, NC, often seek skilled landscapers for residential and commercial projects.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Clayton, NC


  2. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $36,350
    Housekeeping staff clean and organize living spaces. They work in hotels, offices, and homes. Attention to detail is key. Many local businesses offer housekeeping positions.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Clayton, NC


  3. Lawn Care Technician
    Average Salary: $32,769
    This job focuses on maintaining lawns. Technicians mow, edge, and treat lawns. They work for landscaping companies and local businesses. It's a hands-on role that keeps outdoor areas looking neat.
    Find Lawn Care Technician jobs in Clayton, NC


  4. Floor Tech
    Average Salary: $31,846
    Floor techs clean and maintain floors in various settings. They use specialized equipment to clean and polish. This role is essential in commercial and residential properties. Many companies in Clayton, NC, need skilled floor techs.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Clayton, NC


  5. Fryer
    Average Salary: $29,900
    Fryers prepare food by frying it. They work in fast-food restaurants and cafes. Fryers need to follow recipes and ensure food quality. This role is crucial in the food service industry.
    Find Fryer jobs in Clayton, NC


  6. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $29,353
    To Go Specialists prepare food for customers to take away. They work in fast-food and casual dining restaurants. This role involves packaging food correctly and ensuring customer satisfaction. Many local eateries offer these positions.
    Find To Go Specialist jobs in Clayton, NC


  7. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $28,281
    Line cooks prepare ingredients and cook food in a fast-paced kitchen. They work in restaurants and cafes. This role requires teamwork and efficiency. Many local businesses need skilled line cooks.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Clayton, NC


  8. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $28,008
    Dishwashers clean dishes and utensils. They work in restaurants and cafes. This role involves using commercial dishwashers and ensuring cleanliness. Many local businesses offer these positions.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Clayton, NC


  9. Server
    Average Salary: $27,415
    Servers take orders and serve food and drinks. They work in restaurants and cafes. This role requires good customer service skills. Many local eateries need skilled servers.
    Find Server jobs in Clayton, NC


  10. Barista
    Average Salary: $26,495
    Baristas prepare and serve coffee and other beverages. They work in cafes and coffee shops. This role requires attention to detail and customer service skills. Many local businesses offer these positions.
    Find Barista jobs in Clayton, NC

Which companies offer the top salaries in Clayton, NC?

Job seekers in Clayton, NC, can find competitive salaries at several top companies. Caterpillar leads the way with an average salary of $82,547, followed closely by Novo Nordisk, Inc. at $81,063. These companies offer attractive compensation packages, making them excellent choices for those seeking higher earnings. Other notable employers in Clayton include UNC Health, TOWN OF CLAYTON, and Grifols, all of which provide average salaries above $50,000. Prostar Services, Johnston County Public Schools, and Smithfield Chicken-N-Bar-B-Q also offer solid salaries, ranging from $47,000 to $58,000. For those looking to balance job satisfaction with financial rewards, these companies present strong opportunities.
Graph displaying company salaries in Clayton, NC, highlighting Caterpillar with the highest at $82,547 and Allied Universal with the lowest at $37,058.

  1. Caterpillar
    Average Salary: $82,547
    Caterpillar is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.


  2. Novo Nordisk, Inc.
    Average Salary: $81,063
    Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company. They focus on diabetes, obesity, and rare blood and endocrine diseases.


  3. UNC Health
    Average Salary: $62,039
    UNC Health is a not-for-profit integrated health care system. It provides quality care to patients in North Carolina.


  4. TOWN OF CLAYTON
    Average Salary: $59,438
    The Town of Clayton offers various jobs in public service. They focus on community development and safety.


  5. Grifols
    Average Salary: $57,702
    Grifols is a global biotechnology company. They specialize in producing plasma-derived medicines.


  6. Prostar Services
    Average Salary: $57,038
    Prostar Services provides staffing solutions. They offer jobs in various industries.


  7. Johnston County Public Schools
    Average Salary: $48,714
    Johnston County Public Schools is a local school district. They offer jobs in education and support services.


  8. Smithfield Chicken-N-Bar-B-Q
    Average Salary: $47,295
    Smithfield Chicken-N-Bar-B-Q is a popular restaurant. They offer jobs in food service and hospitality.


  9. Carolina Comfort Air
    Average Salary: $41,414
    Carolina Comfort Air provides HVAC services. They offer jobs in installation and maintenance.


  10. Allied Universal
    Average Salary: $37,058
    Allied Universal offers security and facility services. They provide jobs in various sectors.

How does the cost of living in Clayton, NC compare to the national average?

Clayton, NC, has a cost of living index that is slightly below the nationwide average. The overall index stands at 90, which is 10% lower than the national benchmark of 100. This means that, on average, residents in Clayton can expect to pay less for their housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses compared to the average American. Specifically, Clayton's housing index is 85, groceries are 90, utilities are 95, transportation is 92, healthcare is 88, and miscellaneous items are 89. These figures indicate that while some categories are close to the national average, others show a more significant reduction in costs.
Cost of living comparison graph for Clayton, NC vs. Nationwide: housing 15% lower, groceries 10% lower, utilities 5% lower, transportation 8% lower, healthcare 12% lower, miscellaneous 11% lower.

Clayton, NC, presents a cost of living that is notably lower than the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Clayton stand at 85, indicating that residents can expect to pay 15% less than the national average for housing. This reduction can be a significant advantage for those looking to settle in Clayton, as it offers more affordable living options without compromising on quality.


In addition to housing, Clayton's grocery costs are slightly below the national average, with an index of 90. This means that groceries cost 10% less than the average American city. Utilities in Clayton also remain competitive, with an index of 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. These lower costs in essential areas make Clayton an attractive option for job seekers and families looking to manage their budgets effectively.

There are 525 job openings in Clayton, NC, today!

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Clayton, NC
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