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What is the average salary in Kinston, NC?

The average salary in Kinston, NC is $53,871 per year.

In Kinston, NC, the job market offers a range of salaries that cater to various career levels. The average yearly salary stands at 53,871. This average is a good starting point for understanding what different job sectors pay.

When looking at specific industries, the data reveals a broad salary distribution. For instance, the lowest-paying jobs make around 20,400 annually, while the highest-paying positions can reach up to 165,000 per year. This diversity in earnings reflects the different skill sets and responsibilities required across professions.

Some of the most common salary ranges include:

  • 22.57% of jobs pay around 20,400
  • 26.94% of jobs pay around 33,545
  • 11.70% of jobs pay around 46,691
  • 13.50% of jobs pay around 59,836
  • 9.53% of jobs pay around 72,982
View jobs in Kinston, NC

What are the best paying jobs in Kinston, NC?

Job seekers in Kinston, NC, have access to several high-paying job opportunities. The top-paying positions include roles like speech language pathologists and staff nurses. These roles offer annual salaries ranging from nearly $70,000 to over $90,000. Beyond healthcare, opportunities exist in retail, management, and maintenance. Retail sales associates and general managers can earn competitive wages, while technicians and maintenance staff also see solid compensation. These jobs provide a mix of healthcare, management, and technical fields, each with its own benefits and growth potential.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Kinston, NC, highlighting Speech Language Pathologist with the highest at $92,543 and Delivery Driver with the lowest at $37,987.
  1. Speech Language Pathologist
    Average Salary: $92,543
    Help people with speech and language difficulties. Work in healthcare and educational settings. Common employers include local clinics and schools.
    Find Speech Language Pathologist jobs in Kinston, NC


  2. Staff Nurse
    Average Salary: $91,615
    Provide care to patients. Work in hospitals and outpatient care centers. Key employers are local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
    Find Staff Nurse jobs in Kinston, NC


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $78,681
    Manage patient care and health education. Work in hospitals and clinics. You will find jobs with hospitals and healthcare providers.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Kinston, NC


  4. Technician
    Average Salary: $71,995
    Operate and maintain technical equipment. Work in various industries like manufacturing and healthcare. Common employers include local manufacturing firms and tech companies.
    Find Technician jobs in Kinston, NC


  5. Licensed Practical Nurse
    Average Salary: $64,150
    Provide basic patient care. Work in hospitals and nursing homes. Employers include local hospitals and care facilities.
    Find Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Kinston, NC


  6. Retail Sales Associate
    Average Salary: $63,278
    Help customers find products and complete sales. Work in retail stores. You can find jobs at local stores and big box retailers.
    Find Retail Sales Associate jobs in Kinston, NC


  7. General Manager
    Average Salary: $60,241
    Oversee daily operations in businesses. Work in retail, hospitality, and food service. Common employers are local restaurants and retail chains.
    Find General Manager jobs in Kinston, NC


  8. Maintenance Technician
    Average Salary: $49,816
    Perform repairs and maintenance on equipment. Work in various settings. Employers include local businesses and maintenance companies.
    Find Maintenance Technician jobs in Kinston, NC


  9. Registered Behavior Technician
    Average Salary: $48,567
    Work with individuals to improve behaviors. Typically work in schools and clinics. Employers include local schools and behavioral health companies.
    Find Registered Behavior Technician jobs in Kinston, NC


  10. Delivery Driver
    Average Salary: $37,987
    Deliver packages and goods. Work for delivery services. Common employers include local delivery companies and e-commerce firms.
    Find Delivery Driver jobs in Kinston, NC

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

Kinston, NC offers several high-paying jobs that do not need a college degree. Groundskeepers lead the list, earning an average of $34,576 annually. This role involves maintaining landscapes and ensuring grounds are clean and attractive. Following closely, farm laborers also earn a good salary at $31,542 per year. They perform various tasks in agricultural settings, like planting and harvesting crops. Housekeeping staff earn $31,388, focusing on keeping indoor spaces neat and welcoming. These jobs provide stability and good pay without the need for a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Kinston, NC without a degree, highlighting Groundskeeper with the highest at $34,576 and Server with the lowest at $22,487.
  1. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $34,576
    This role involves maintaining parks and other outdoor spaces. Tasks include landscaping, gardening, and cleaning areas. Local parks and landscaping companies offer these opportunities.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Kinston, NC


  2. Farm Laborer
    Average Salary: $31,542
    Farm laborers work on farms, handling crops and livestock. Duties involve planting, harvesting, and caring for animals. Local farms and agricultural companies provide these jobs.
    Find Farm Laborer jobs in Kinston, NC


  3. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $31,388
    Housekeeping staff clean and maintain rooms in hotels, motels, and similar facilities. They ensure a tidy and welcoming environment for guests. Local hotels and resorts hire for these positions.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Kinston, NC


  4. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $26,397
    To Go specialists prepare and package food orders for customers. They work in fast food or casual dining restaurants. Local eateries and fast food chains offer these roles.
    Find To Go Specialist jobs in Kinston, NC


  5. Dishwasher
    Average Salary: $23,733
    Dishwasher clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. They work in restaurants, cafes, and other food service places. Local dining establishments hire for these positions.
    Find Dishwasher jobs in Kinston, NC


  6. Server
    Average Salary: $22,487
    Servers take orders and serve food and drinks to customers. They must provide good service and ensure customers have a pleasant experience. Local restaurants and cafes offer these jobs.
    Find Server jobs in Kinston, NC

Which companies offer the top salaries in Kinston, NC?

Job seekers in Kinston, NC, will find that some companies offer higher salaries compared to others. Aya Healthcare leads the pack with an average salary of $65,782. This company provides healthcare staffing services and is a top choice for those seeking a rewarding career with good compensation. Other high-paying companies in Kinston include UNC Health, Pactiv Evergreen, and Smithfield Foods. These organizations offer competitive salaries ranging from $61,125 to $44,744. Workers in these industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and food processing, can expect attractive pay packages. Exploring job opportunities at these companies may lead to better financial outcomes.
Graph displaying company salaries in Kinston, NC, highlighting Aya Healthcare with the highest at $65,782 and Little Caesars Pizza with the lowest at $30,863.
  1. Aya Healthcare
    Average Salary: $65,782
    Aya Healthcare offers travel nursing, therapy, allied, and locum tenens jobs. Their team focuses on building strong relationships with healthcare professionals.


  2. UNC Health
    Average Salary: $61,125
    UNC Health provides various healthcare services. It is a not-for-profit integrated health care system, owned by the state of North Carolina.


  3. Pactiv Evergreen
    Average Salary: $51,643
    Pactiv Evergreen focuses on making sustainable foodservice and food packaging. They use recycled materials to make their products.


  4. Lenoir Community College
    Average Salary: $48,079
    This community college offers many programs and courses. It helps people get ready for their future jobs.


  5. Smithfield Foods
    Average Salary: $44,744
    Smithfield Foods is a meat processing company. They make many different kinds of pork, beef, and chicken products.


  6. City of Kinston
    Average Salary: $42,547
    The City of Kinston offers various jobs in government. Workers help run the city and keep it running smoothly.


  7. Lenoir County Public Schools
    Average Salary: $39,628
    Lenoir County Public Schools provides education for students. They have many schools and teachers to help kids learn.


  8. Butterball
    Average Salary: $35,426
    Butterball is a company that makes turkey and other poultry products. They supply many stores and restaurants.


  9. Allegiance Industries
    Average Salary: $34,841
    Allegiance Industries makes products for the foodservice and packaging industries. They make things like paper plates and cups.


  10. Little Caesars Pizza
    Average Salary: $30,863
    Little Caesars Pizza is a fast-food chain. They sell pizza, breadsticks, and other tasty items to people everywhere.

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

Kinston, North Carolina, boasts a cost of living that is notably lower than the nationwide average. With a cost of living index of 87, job seekers can expect to find living expenses in Kinston approximately 13% below the national average. This includes more affordable housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses. Breaking down the cost of living components, Kinston's housing costs are 22% lower than the national average. Other areas like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses remain just 6%, 6%, 10%, 12%, and 15% below the national average, respectively. This makes Kinston an attractive option for those seeking a lower cost of living without significant trade-offs.
Cost of living comparison graph for Kinston, NC vs. Nationwide: housing 22% lower, groceries 6% lower, utilities 6% lower, transportation 10% lower, healthcare 12% lower, miscellaneous 15% lower.

Kinston, NC, presents a cost of living that is notably lower than the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Kinston stand at 78, reflecting a 22% decrease from the national figure. This makes it a more affordable option for those looking to buy or rent homes. Additionally, groceries cost 94 in Kinston, which is only 6% lower than the national average. This small difference means that everyday food expenses are nearly on par with the rest of the country.


Utilities in Kinston also follow this trend, with an index of 94, just 6% below the national average. This ensures that residents do not face significant increases in their utility bills. Transportation costs are at 90, which is 10% lower than the national average, offering savings for those commuting or needing regular transportation. Healthcare, at 88, is 12% below the national average, suggesting potential savings in medical expenses. Lastly, miscellaneous expenses are at 85, indicating a 15% reduction compared to the national average. Overall, Kinston provides a cost of living that is more affordable in most categories, making it an attractive option for those seeking to minimize their expenses.

There are 399 job openings in Kinston, NC, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Kinston, NC

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City
Overview
Kinston, NC
399 Job Openings