Global CityIntelligence

Economy & jobs

Economy and jobs in Charlotte

Charlotte has a large and diversified economy with strengths in technology, aerospace and research.

Economy type
Major economy
Economy score
87/100

Economy overview

Charlotte has a large and diversified economy with strengths in technology, aerospace and research.

Charlotte, United States is classified as a major economy in our deterministic economy index. These are planning estimates derived from country economic priors and existing city signals — not measured GDP or labour-market statistics. Data year 2025; last updated 2026-05-16.

Key industries

The sectors that most shape the local economy, derived deterministically from country and city signals.

Key industries

  • Technology
  • Aerospace
  • Research
  • Manufacturing
  • Software
  • Energy

Employment outlook

The breadth of the labour market and where opportunities concentrate.

Employment outlook

Employment86/100
Job market88/100

Charlotte's labour market is very strong, with opportunities concentrated in technology, manufacturing and education and research.

Salary potential

Estimated pay levels and how far local incomes stretch against the cost of living.

Salary potential

Salary potential89/100
Affordability-adjusted income80/100

The affordability-adjusted income score combines estimated pay with the local cost of living, indicating how far a typical income stretches in Charlotte.

Business environment

Conditions for operating and growing a business locally.

Business environment

Business environment90/100

This reflects infrastructure, institutional capacity, and the scale of the local market relative to peer cities.

Startup ecosystem

How supportive the local ecosystem is for new ventures.

Startup ecosystem

Startup ecosystem86/100
Innovation90/100

The startup ecosystem in Charlotte is very strong, supported by universities and skilled talent, a favourable business environment and strong infrastructure.

Remote work suitability

Suitability for remote and distributed work.

Remote work suitability

Remote work88/100
Remote job availability90/100

Charlotte offers strong infrastructure and amenities for remote professionals, with a remote-work score of 88/100.

Career opportunities

Overall career opportunity and how it breaks down by sector.

Career opportunities

Overall career opportunity89/100
Technology90/100
Healthcare71/100
Finance70/100
Manufacturing75/100
Tourism64/100
Education72/100

Economy score

A 0–100 composite of employment, salary, business environment, startups, innovation, remote work, and affordability-adjusted income. Used consistently across the platform.

Economy score

Economy score87/100
Employment86/100
Salary89/100
Business environment90/100
Startup ecosystem86/100
Innovation90/100
Remote work88/100

Jobs score

A 0–100 labour-market composite and its sector components.

Jobs score

Job market88/100
Technology90/100
Healthcare71/100
Finance70/100
Manufacturing75/100
Tourism64/100
Education72/100
Remote availability90/100
Career opportunity89/100

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Continue researching this city across the platform's other planning surfaces.

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