North Carolina cities rank among top STEM hubs in the nation
A recent study by CoworkingCafe highlights several North Carolina cities as top destinations for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Durham-Chapel Hill secured the first position among mid-size metro areas, while Raleigh and Charlotte ranked ninth and 14th, respectively, among large metro areas.
CoworkingCafe, a management firm overseeing coworking spaces nationwide, conducted the study using various metrics, including job availability in STEM fields, cost of living, average income, and the number of doctorate degrees per 100,000 residents.
Durham-Chapel Hill Leads Mid-Size Metros
Durham-Chapel Hill topped the rankings for mid-size metro areas, fueled by a 27% increase in STEM careers and a 14.5% growth in average annual salary, which reached $102,254. The region, home to Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill, far outperformed both Raleigh and Charlotte in doctorate density with 135 per 100,000 residents.
“Growth in STEM isn’t spread evenly across the US Some metros are clearly doing more to attract and retain STEM talent, and that’s where North Carolina stands out,” noted study author, Adelina Nicoara.
Raleigh and Charlotte qualified as “large metro areas” due to their populations exceeding one million residents.
Raleigh’s STEM Performance
In the large metro category, Raleigh ranked fourth nationally in doctorate density, with 32 doctorate holders per 100,000 residents, based on 2023 data.
STEM professionals in Raleigh earned an average annual salary of $102,352—up 23.81% from 2019 to 2024—placing the city 14th in salary growth. In comparison, the national average salary grew by 19% to $97,000 over the same period, positioning Raleigh well above the national benchmark.
Raleigh also saw a 26.8% increase in STEM job opportunities from 2019 to 2024, ranking 14th nationally. Although slightly below the national average growth of 31%, Raleigh excelled in the density of STEM positions, with 167 out of every 1,000 jobs in STEM fields.
Charlotte, ranked 14th among large metros, experienced a 28.8% increase in STEM jobs between 2019 and 2024—slightly higher than Raleigh’s growth rate. However, Charlotte’s STEM job density was lower, with 131 out of every 1,000 jobs in the field. The city also lagged in doctorate density, recording just four doctorate holders per 100,000 residents.
North Carolina Department of Commerce
Data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce supports CoworkingCafe’s findings. In Wake County, which includes Raleigh, 23.8% of the workforce is employed in STEM careers. The county’s 2023 median household income of $103,084 closely aligns with the average STEM salary.
Much of North Carolina’s STEM activity centers around Research Triangle Park, strategically located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The area provides direct access to a thriving job market and serves as a key hub for science and technology in the state.
“The Raleigh-Durham area, in particular, has emerged as a STEM hub in its own right. With the combined strength of NC State, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill, the region supports a strong pipeline from education to high-paying employment,” Nicoara concluded.
“North Carolina cities rank among top STEM hubs in the nation” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
