Salary guide, May 2025
Reliability Engineer 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 Engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $104,030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $83,240 and $130,220.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $1,590 above the national median of $102,440, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 17-2112 Industrial Engineers
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $78,470 | $83,240 | $104,030 | $130,220 | $152,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37.73 | $40.02 | $50.01 | $62.61 | $73.08 |
BLS estimated 1,710 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.98.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $74,370 | $83,600 | $102,440 | $129,250 | $159,860 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.76 | $40.19 | $49.25 | $62.14 | $76.85 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Reliability Engineer median is $104,030. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 2.00 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.98 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 | $81,240 | $101,880 | $126,310 |
| May 2025 | $83,240 | $104,030 | $130,220 |
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 17-2112 Industrial Engineers, 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 17-2112 Industrial Engineers, 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 | $97,220 | $77,920 to $103,310 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $92,840 | $82,240 to $117,320 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, the median annual wage for Industrial Engineers (SOC 17-2112), which covers Reliability Engineers, is $104,030. This figure shows an increase of $2,150 from the May 2024 median of $101,880. 98. This indicates that the occupation's regional concentration is closely aligned with the national average.
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, the median annual wage for Industrial Engineers (SOC 17-2112), which covers Reliability Engineers, is $104,030. This figure shows an increase of $2,150 from the May 2024 median of $101,880. Manufacturing Headhunters observes an employment level of 1,710 within the area, with a location quotient of 0.98. This indicates that the occupation's regional concentration is closely aligned with the national average.
The national median annual wage for this SOC category is $102,440, with a middle-band width of $45,650. Raleigh’s local median is slightly higher than the national median. National industry wages for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (NAICS 324000/324100) are $127,140, and Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 3250A1) shows $118,700. Manufacturing Headhunters advises that these industry-specific national figures are distinct from the broader SOC data and serve as general comparative benchmarks for the industry.
Nearby, the Goldsboro, NC area reports a median of $97,220 and a middle-band width of $25,390. These figures demonstrate how local occupational pay for engineers varies across different markets. Because BLS uses a broader occupation (SOC 17-2112) for reporting, these statistics include all industrial engineering roles, not just those centered on reliability. The provided wage figures omit benefits, bonuses, and other non-wage compensation.
Reliability engineers typically utilize methodologies such as RCM and FMEA alongside vibration analysis (Cat II/III) and thermography to maintain equipment performance. Holding the CMRP or ASQ CRE credentials demonstrates expertise in this domain. While manufacturing sites have distinct processes, all these engineering roles are classified under the single broad SOC code. Reliability engineering tasks require a balance of technical diagnostics and programmatic oversight to minimize machine downtime across industrial operations.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
What is the median annual wage for this occupation in Raleigh?
The median annual wage for Industrial Engineers in Raleigh is $104,030.
How does the local middle-band width compare to the national middle-band width?
The local middle-band width of $46,980 is slightly wider than the national middle-band width of $45,650.
Are the Petroleum and Chemical manufacturing rows specific to Raleigh?
No, these rows reflect national occupational wages by industry. They are not local to the Raleigh-Cary metro area.
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