EducationUpdated Q1 2026

Academic Advisor Salary
in Cary, NC

Guide students in selecting courses, majors, and academic pathways to meet graduation requirements. Median salary in Cary: $58K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$58K
per year
Take-home: $38K

Salary range in Cary

Entry level (25th)$45,000
Median (50th)$58,000
Senior (75th)$76,000
Top earner (90th)$96,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Cary, North Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Cary

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% premium vs national median

Academic Advisors in Cary earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $6,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Cary's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Rent eats 54% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Cary ($1,700/mo) consumes approximately 54% of an after-tax median Academic Advisor salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($76K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Cary

Median salary
$58K
annual
Take-home pay
$38K
after fed/state tax
COL index
112
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,700
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Cary Academic Advisor to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $58K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Cary

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Academic Advisor salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$49K$53K$58K$62K$66K201920212023202520272029
2026
$59K
projected
2027
$61K
projected
2028
$62K
projected
2029
$64K
projected
2030
$66K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$58,000+$0
2028 projected$58,000+$0
2029 projected$58,000+$0
2030 projected$58,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Academic Advisor Salary in Cary, North Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Academic Advisor salary in Cary, NC is $58,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Cary–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Academic Advisor in Cary

Entry-level Academic Advisors in Cary with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $45,000 and $58,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $58,000 to $76,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $76,000 to $96,000 or more.

Cost of living in Cary for Academic Advisors

Cary has a cost of living index of 112 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Cary are close to the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Academic Advisor

Bachelor's or Master's in Education or Counseling. 35% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Academic Advisor salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Cary (current)$58K112
Charlotte$51K100
Raleigh$53K102
Greensboro$46K88
Durham$55K100
Winston-Salem$44K85