SOC 11-9072 · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling Salary in Hickory, NC

The average salary for entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) in Hickory, North Carolina is $75,510 a year ($36.30 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $73,420: half of the 40 people in this job in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 16% less than the U.S. average for this job ($89,750).

$75,510average per year

$36.30 / hourMedian $73,420Take-home ≈ $59,447

  • $48K10th
  • $58K25th
  • $73KMedian
  • $85K75th
  • $103K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
-16%vs U.S. average
#8 of 8North Carolina metros
88cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pay range in Hickory

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,620 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,440 or more. The middle half of entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) in Hickory earn between $57,640 and $85,170.

  • $48K10th
  • $58K25th
  • $73KMedian
  • $85K75th
  • $103K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$75,510$6,292$36.30
Median$73,420$6,118$35.30
Entry level (25th percentile)$57,640$4,803$27.71
Experienced (75th percentile)$85,170$7,098$40.95

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pay in Hickory vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) in Hickory earn 13% less than the North Carolina average ($86,430) and 16% less than the U.S. average ($89,750). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $79,520.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Hickory$75,510$73,420$47,620$103,44040
North Carolina$86,430$77,990$47,660$136,1601,200
United States$89,750$79,520$46,270$139,11037,980

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary after taxes in Hickory

On the average salary of $75,510, a single filer in Hickory takes home about $59,447 a year, or $4,954 a month and $2,286 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Hickory a good place for entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5), so the average $75,510 buys what about $85,336 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Hickory ($45,220). A typical home costs $271,739, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $75,510 is worth in another city

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary in other North Carolina cities

Hickory ranks 8th of 8 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Durham pays the most ($100,030).

All Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salaries in North Carolina

Highest-paying cities for entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling)

Naples, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($133,420).

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary by city

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Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary in Hickory: questions

How much do entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) make an hour in Hickory?

$36.30 an hour on average, and $35.30 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) salary in Hickory?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,620 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,640, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) take-home pay in Hickory?

About $59,447 a year ($4,954 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $75,510.

Do entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling) earn more in Hickory than elsewhere?

The average here is 16% less than the U.S. average for this job ($89,750).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 11-9072; area Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.01, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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