top 12 jobs and growing industries in charlotte, north carolina.

2.9 million people. 1.6 million jobs. The Charlotte, NC, region — including Mecklenburg and surrounding counties — is growing fast. Between 2023 and 2030, the already sizable population is expected to expand by 12 percent.

The city landed at number eight on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024, thanks to its charming neighborhoods, thriving cultural scene and relative affordability.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the top industries in Charlotte are trade, transportation and utilities (275,400 workers), professional and business services (235,100 workers) and leisure and hospitality (164,600 workers). Other sectors offering exciting opportunities include education and health services (144,500 workers), financial activities (123,900 workers) and manufacturing (111,100 workers).

If you’re looking to make your next professional move to a fast-paced city center, jobs in Charlotte, NC, promise excellent career prospects. Randstad research has found salaries run slightly below national averages in North Carolina’s largest city, so we’ve provided figures from the mid range of our data. Here are our picks for the best jobs in Charlotte.

Warehousing saw an explosive 60 percent growth when the sector added more than 10,000 jobs in the year leading up to 2020. New facilities continue to go up in the Charlotte region, which boasts twice the number of warehouse workers per capita than anywhere else in the nation. Picker/packers sort and move goods, inspect them, pack them and get them ready for shipping. Average wages for this role are between $15 and $17 per hour.

Organizations large and small in this bustling urban center need marketing managers to drive branding and advertising. Developing a creative strategy for getting the word out about a company’s products and services is a large part of a marketing manager’s role. The field is growing faster than average on a national scale, with an expected 10 percent increase in the decade to 2031. Marketing manager jobs typically pay $118k to $164k.

With two large healthcare systems — Atrium Health and Novant Health — Charlotte’s health sector provides a broad range of job opportunities. Pharmacists play an essential role in the city’s wellness efforts, and demand for these specialists in hospital and clinic settings in particular is expected to continue growing. Average salaries are between $125k and $136k.

If you enjoy studying data and analyzing trends, a financial analyst role may be a good fit. Charlotte is home to a growing number of Fortune 500 companies — nine in 2023. These and businesses like them need the expertise of financial analysts to identify investment risks and opportunities so they make the best decisions and avoid wealth management pitfalls. Financial analysts can expect to make between $79k and $108k.

Significant capital investments into EV (electric vehicle) and semiconductor development have boosted manufacturing sector jobs in Charlotte. Production managers provide leadership in every manufacturing facility in the city by overseeing processes and ensuring safety and quality remain top priorities. Average pay rates are between $44 and $57 per hour.

Manufacturing engineers play a vital role in production processes. Working in a variety of industries, they design and operate manufacturing machines, robots and computer networks. They also identify trouble spots and make repairs, order and install equipment, and supervise machine operators. The outlook for manufacturing engineers looks bright, with 10 percent growth projected in the decade to 2031. Salaries also remain strong, averaging $86k to $99k.