Natural Sciences Managers Salary in North Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Natural Sciences Managers salary really buy you in North Carolina?

North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$167,430

Median annual (2024)

→ +6.2%

Real Purchasing Power

$177,738

COL-adjusted (RPP=94.2)

North Carolina Cost of Living Index

North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Natural Sciences Managers earning $167,430 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $177,738 in an average-cost US state.

NC: 94.2

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

A Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina earns $167,430 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $177,738 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Natural Sciences Managers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Natural Sciences Managers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Massachusetts

$199,999

RPP 109.4

2. New Jersey

$185,946

RPP 108.8

3. California

$181,422

RPP 112.5

4. North Carolina

$177,738

RPP 94.2

5. Kansas

$175,666

RPP 90.0

6. Connecticut

$168,392

RPP 106.4

7. Washington

$162,358

RPP 109.8

8. Missouri

$157,771

RPP 91.1

9. Illinois

$156,653

RPP 101.3

10. Arkansas

$155,230

RPP 86.6

North Carolina ranks #4 out of 47 states for Natural Sciences Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina after cost of living?

A Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina earns a median salary of $167,430 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $177,738 — a +6.2% difference.

Is North Carolina expensive to live in?

North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina: $167,430 x (100 / 94.2) = $177,738. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Natural Sciences Managers in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.