Salary guide, May 2025
Plant Manager pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Industrial Production Managers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $130,120 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $97,770 and $164,810.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $4,060 above the national median of $126,060, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $78,110 | $97,770 | $130,120 | $164,810 | $215,140 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37.56 | $47.00 | $62.56 | $79.24 | $103.43 |
BLS estimated 1,010 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.86.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $78,000 | $98,160 | $126,060 | $161,880 | $205,520 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37.50 | $47.19 | $60.61 | $77.83 | $98.81 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Plant Manager median is $130,120. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 2.50 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.86 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $86,320 | $119,380 | $160,550 |
| May 2025 | $97,770 | $130,120 | $164,810 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-3051 Industrial Production Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $110,560 | $91,840 to $133,700 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $130,720 | $96,320 to $165,670 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, Plant Managers (SOC 11-3051) earn a median salary of 130,120. The previous year's median was 119,380, representing an increase of 10,740. The middle band width for this role is 67,040. The national median sits at 126,060, meaning the Raleigh local median is now higher than the national figure. 86, showing moderate concentration for this occupation.
Manufacturing Headhunters points out that regional employers focus heavily on safety records, such as TRIR and DART, as well as ERP experience during the candidate screening process.
Surrounding metros illustrate the range of compensation in North Carolina. Rocky Mount, NC, shows a median of 130,720, similar to Raleigh, while Goldsboro, NC, reports a lower median of 110,560. These figures suggest a competitive leadership market in the eastern part of the state. National industries like Iron and Steel Mills report 145,280, offering a glimpse at high-end industrial compensation, but this does not represent the local Raleigh economy. The variation within the 67,040 band is driven by the diversity of plant operations, from small electronics manufacturing to large-scale chemical processes.
The salary growth of 10,740 in Raleigh significantly outpaces the national growth of 4,620. This upward momentum makes Raleigh an attractive market for experienced production leaders. Local facilities, particularly those in the Raleigh-Cary corridor, often require expertise in complex ERP systems such as enterprise planning or cloud manufacturing software. Performance in these roles is typically judged on yield improvement and budgetary efficiency. As the region continues to develop its industrial capacity, compensation trends for these roles are likely to remain dynamic.
Candidates assessing the Raleigh market should be prepared to discuss their tenure-based OEE results. Employers place a high premium on candidates who can manage both budgets and headcount while maintaining safety standards. The ability to handle labor relations is also a critical component of the role. Because these BLS figures group all production managers together, applicants should be prepared to argue their specific worth within the broader 130,120 median framework.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is Raleigh a high-paying market for Plant Managers?
The local median of 130,120 is higher than the national median of 126,060. Raleigh's compensation growth has been strong, outpacing national trends by 10,740.
What do local manufacturers look for in Plant Manager candidates?
Employers look for proven track records in budget/headcount management, OEE or yield trends, and safety performance. ERP software expertise and labor relations experience are standard evaluation points.
How does the Goldsboro metro compare to Raleigh?
Goldsboro reports a lower median of 110,560, while Raleigh reports 130,120. This reflects the difference in industrial scale and operational demands between the two regions.
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