Is $27 an hour good in North Carolina?

Question

McJune · Accepted Answer

Yes, earning $27 an hour in North Carolina is a good, above-average wage that provides a comfortable lifestyle for a single individual, though its adequacy tightens for families or in the state's most expensive urban centers. This rate translates to approximately $56,160 annually, assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

The primary benchmark is the living wage. For a single adult with no children in North Carolina, the estimated living wage required to cover basic needs is $22.47 per hour. At $27 per hour, you earn about 20% above this threshold, allowing for discretionary spending, savings, and a decent quality of life. However, for a single adult with one child, the required living wage jumps to around $37.54 per hour, making $27 insufficient to cover core expenses without significant assistance or stringent budgeting.

Key Data Comparison: $27/Hour in North Carolina

Metric	Figure	Source/Context
Annual Salary (at $27/hr)	$56,160	Based on 2,080 work hours per year.
Living Wage (Single Adult)	$22.47/hr	MIT Living Wage Calculator, 2024 data.
Living Wage (One Adult, One Child)	$37.54/hr	MIT Living Wage Calculator, 2024 data.
Average Annual Wage in NC	~$58,000	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023.
"Good Hourly" Job Threshold	~$24.38/hr	Equivalent to NC's average annual wage.

Location dramatically impacts purchasing power. In rural counties or smaller cities like Greensboro or Winston-Salem, $27 an hour affords significant comfort, with median home prices and rental costs well below national averages. In contrast, in the booming metropolitan areas of the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) and Charlotte, housing costs are substantially higher. Here, $27 an hour moves from being strong to merely average, requiring more careful financial planning to afford housing near city centers.

From a career and industry perspective, $27 per hour is a strong rate for many entry-level to mid-level professional roles, skilled trades, and technical positions across the state. It is notably above typical wages for retail or service industry management. However, it sits below the threshold for high earners in the state, which market data often places around $38.90 per hour (or $81,000 annually) for senior professional or specialized technical roles.

Ultimately, $27 an hour is a solid foundation. For a single person, it means financial stability and room for leisure. For a dual-income household without children, it contributes to a very comfortable combined income. The main constraints arise for single-income families or those seeking to buy homes in the most competitive North Carolina housing markets, where budgeting becomes essential.

VonKennedy · Answer

As someone who moved to Raleigh for a tech support job paying exactly $27 an hour, here’s my take. My take-home is about $3,500 a month after taxes and health insurance. I found a decent one-bedroom apartment for $1,400, which is considered a good find here. After rent, utilities, car payment, and groceries, I have around $1,000 left.

That money covers my gym membership, eating out sometimes, and saving a bit. I’m not worried about bills, but I’m also not saving for a down payment on a house anytime soon—prices here are intense. For a young, single person like me, it’s a perfectly fine wage to live on comfortably without many luxuries. If I had a kid or significant debt, the math would fall apart quickly.

Jodi · Answer

From a financial planning standpoint, $27 an hour is a viable but middle-ground income in North Carolina. We break it down for clients using the 50/30/20 rule (needs/wants/savings). At this income, a single individual’s "needs"—housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, insurance—should ideally stay under $2,340 monthly.

In many parts of the state, that’s very manageable. However, in Charlotte or the Triangle, market-rate housing alone can consume 40-50% of that needs budget, forcing compromises elsewhere. The wage is sufficient to avoid living paycheck-to-paycheck if you’re disciplined, but building substantial wealth or emergency savings requires a strict budget. For a family of three, this income often necessitates a second income or significant public assistance to cover basic needs, as it falls short of the documented family living wage.

DelJordan · Answer

Let’s talk about what this wage means in real terms across the state.

In Asheville or Wilmington: You’ll enjoy the city amenities but will likely need roommates or a longer commute to afford housing comfortably on this single income. Tourism-driven costs can strain your budget.
In the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem): Your money goes much further. You can likely afford a modest apartment or even a starter home mortgage in some suburbs without financial stress.
In a rural eastern or mountain town: $27 an hour is a high local wage. You can afford a good standard of living, likely including homeownership, contributing significantly to savings, and having ample disposable income.

The verdict entirely depends on your zip code. It’s a wage that places you in the middle class statewide, but the experience of that middle class varies from spacious to squeezed based on your county.

LeilaMarie · Answer

Let’s talk about what this wage means in real terms across the state.

In Asheville or Wilmington: You’ll enjoy the city amenities but will likely need roommates or a longer commute to afford housing comfortably on this single income. Tourism-driven costs can strain your budget.
In the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem): Your money goes much further. You can likely afford a modest apartment or even a starter home mortgage in some suburbs without financial stress.
In a rural eastern or mountain town: $27 an hour is a high local wage. You can afford a good standard of living, likely including homeownership, contributing significantly to savings, and having ample disposable income.

The verdict entirely depends on your zip code. It’s a wage that places you in the middle class statewide, but the experience of that middle class varies from spacious to squeezed based on your county.

McPenelope · Answer

Compared to common jobs across North Carolina, a $27-per-hour wage provides clear context. It’s substantially higher than the state’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and exceeds the typical earnings for many service and retail positions, which often range from $12 to $18 an hour. It is competitive with, or better than, the average pay for roles like licensed practical nurses, electrician apprentices, or mid-level administrative professionals in the region.

The gap becomes apparent when looking at upper-tier salaries. Senior software developers, experienced registered nurses, or commercial project managers in urban hubs often command $35 to $50 per hour. So, $27 an hour is a respected, professional wage that sits firmly in the middle of the state’s income spectrum. It represents a career step above entry-level but is not yet at the level of specialized, senior, or in-demand tech roles that define the top tier of earners in North Carolina’s evolving economy. It’s a testament to having valuable skills, with clear room for growth through further specialization or experience.