State of North Carolina Jobs in Raleigh: 2026 Raises and How to Apply Now

RALEIGH, NC — The biggest employer in the capital city doesn't run a storefront on Glenwood Avenue or a campus out in RTP. It's the State of North Carolina, and after the first state budget since 2023, state jobs in Raleigh pay a little more than they did a year ago and are easier to apply for than they were two years ago.

Most state employees got a 3% raise this summer, state law enforcement got at least 13%, and every application now runs through one Workday portal that takes a resume or a LinkedIn profile. Here's what that means if you want in.

Ready to apply? Jump to the job links and start searching now →

💵 What the 2026 Budget Changed for State Pay

Gov. Josh Stein signed the $34.3 billion budget on July 7, 2026, ending a stretch with no new state budget since 2023. As WUNC reported from the signing, most state employees received a 3% raise, and all state law enforcement officers got raises of at least 13%. Stein said the trooper increase lifts North Carolina's starting pay from 49th to 41st nationally.

Two honest caveats. Stein himself said inflation had eaten into earlier raises, so many workers are still behind where they were two years ago. And according to WUNC, correctional officer pay still sits among the 10 lowest states even after the increase. Current employees also received a one-time bonus of $1,000 or $1,750 depending on salary, but that was tied to people already on the payroll, so a new hire shouldn't count on it.

The state doesn't publish a single current count of open jobs in Raleigh, and no new hiring target came with the budget. What is true: state government employs more than 70,000 people, according to the Office of State Human Resources, and a large share of the headquarters jobs sit in Raleigh, from the Legislative Building on Jones Street to agency offices across downtown.

📋 How to Apply for a State Job Now

On October 8, 2025, the state moved hiring onto one platform. Outside applicants now search and apply at the State of North Carolina careers portal on Workday, using either a resume or a LinkedIn profile. Applications also ask whether you want to be considered for similar positions. Say yes. It's free extra reach.

Veterans: attach your DD-214 to claim veterans' preference.
Read the posting closely. Each agency runs its own hiring, and the contact for questions is listed on the posting itself.
Not every public job is on that portal. The UNC System, including NC State, the General Assembly and local governments post separately, and temporary state work runs through JoinNC.
Be patient. NC Newsline reported in March 2025 that the average state hire took 182 days, compared with about 44 in the private sector. The Workday switch was meant to shorten that, but apply early and keep applying.

✅ Where the State Is Hiring

The NC Department of Public Safety careers page currently features cooks, nurses, teachers and youth counselor technicians, plus skilled trades from electricians and HVAC mechanics to plumbers, grounds workers and telecommunicators. Its listed benefits include health, dental and vision coverage, a state pension, 14 vacation days to start, 12 sick days and 12 paid holidays, though not every item applies to every position.

Nursing is the shortage that keeps coming up. In that same 2025 discussion, a state lawmaker cited a 33% vacancy rate in state health care jobs, and officials named nurses, correctional officers and engineers as the hardest roles to fill.

🔎 Search State Government Jobs Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for State of North Carolina jobs?

Most executive branch agencies post on the state's Workday careers portal. The UNC System, the General Assembly and the court system hire through their own channels.

Did state employees get a raise in 2026?

Yes. The budget signed July 7, 2026 gave most state employees 3% and state law enforcement officers at least 13%.

Do veterans get preference for state jobs?

Yes. Submit your DD-214 with your application to claim it.

Who do I call with questions?

Questions about a specific job go to the contact on that posting. General questions go to the Office of State Human Resources at (984) 236-0800.

Get Ahead of the Next Posting

Create a free LocalJobPage account and set alerts so new Raleigh government and public sector jobs reach you first. Browse the Raleigh Career Center for role-by-role guides.

Employers: competing with state benefits for the same Raleigh talent? Post your openings on LocalJobPage and reach local candidates who are searching right now.