ASHEBORO — Large companies tend to offer higher wages for workers in Randolph County based on a survey overseen by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.
Companies with more than 200 employees paid higher wages than smaller companies in 2024. However, respondents reported that companies with up to 49 employees and those with 50-99 employees paid higher wages than companies with 100-200 employees.
The survey was conducted among manufacturing and technical companies. Data came from 33 local companies employing a total of 4,529 workers.
“These results confirm Randolph County is home to a robust, competitive job market,” said Kevin Franklin, president of Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.
The twist on wages based on company size came in the high-skill category, where companies with 50-100 employees paid $25.88 for those jobs compared to the 200-plus companies showing $26.12 for high-skill roles.
The wages for 2024 ranged on average from $16.99 per hour for low-skill positions to $25.34 for high-skill positions.
Compared to surveys examining 2022 and 2023, wages rose in low-skill and middle-skill categories, but they took a slight dip in 2024 from 2023 in the high-skill category.
Based on industry, the highest wages went to those involved in furnishings ($30 per hour for high-skill jobs), while the lowest were connected to textiles and warehouse/distribution ($13.75 in the low-skill category).
Other notables from the survey:
** Besides Randolph County, the most employees for companies responding to the survey come from Guilford County, with Davidson County next on that list followed by Montgomery County.
** Only a dozen of the companies in the survey use staffing agencies to help fill positions. Online websites were listed as the most frequently used recruitment tool.
** Twenty-seven of the 33 companies offer health insurance as a benefit and 15 of the companies have a plan for retention bonuses.
David Hursey, the RCEDC’s director of existing industry, said the survey is a key tool for understanding trends within the county.
“This survey not only benchmarks our current status but also provides insights that can help shape future workforce development and recruitment strategies in Randolph County,” Hursey said.
The survey consisted of self-reported data, so some categories might have been interpreted differently from company to company.
The data for 2024 was collected during January and February of this year. The survey focused on nonexempt employees, so generally non-salaried workers.
The survey was in a two-part format, looking at average wages and additional benefits.
