How much do Charlotte’s highest-paid city government employees make?

CHARLOTTE — The city of Charlotte has more than 7,500 employees, more than 1,000 of whom earn six figures.

From city attorneys to police officers to airport shuttle bus operators, the median salary for city employees is almost $228,000. The average salary is $75,855.

The highest-paid city employee, with an annual salary of $434,551, is city manager Marcus Jones. That figure is a 14.5% increase from 2022.

In early May, Jones released his fiscal 2024 budget to City Council. It totals $3.3 billion, up 2.8% over the current budget that runs through June 30. Fiscal 2024 begins on July 1 and ends June 30, 2024. Included in the budget proposal are public safety pay increases.

[ ALSO READ: “Take care of us:’ City workers call for pay increases ]

Jones is seeking 8% salary increases for police officers and sergeants while starting pay and top-end pay for officers with a four-year degree would increase to $63,000 and $100,000 annually, up from $57,000 and $90,000. City Council will hold a final vote on the budget June 12.

Next on the list is Brent Cagle, Charlotte Area Transit System interim CEO. As an assistant city manager, Cagle is paid $291,337. Under Cagle’s leadership, CATS is remaking its entire management structure and has revamped its internal reporting system following a wave of revelations over operational failures in recent months. A permanent chief executive of CATS will not be hired for at least six more months.

Patrick Baker, city attorney; Haley Gentry, director of aviation; and Tracy Dodson, economic development division chief, round out the top five highest-paid city employees.

Check out CBJ’s searchable database here to see the salaries of all city employees earning over $20,000 annually.