The 5 highest-paid Mecklenburg County employees in 2025
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County manager Michael Bryant. Photo: Courtesy of Mecklenburg County
For a transparent look at how taxpayer dollars are spent, Axios keeps a list of Mecklenburg County's highest-paid government employees.
Why it matters: Local government must pay leaders enough to retain talent while still being good stewards of tax dollars.
Zoom in: On the board of county commissioners, the chairman, Mark Jerrell, has a salary of $54,860 (up from $52,000 last year). He receives a $5,952 auto allowance, while the other commissioners can expense up to $5,473 annually.
- Commissioners make $43,888 (up from $41,600 last year).
- Commissioners also receive a $6,002 technology allowance and $11,229 for other expenses.
- Being a commissioner in Mecklenburg County is not technically a full-time position, though it often requires full-time work.
See the list of the county's highest-paid full-time staffers below. We only included base salaries, not benefits or bonuses.
1. Michael Bryant, County Manager
Salary: $420,000
- His predecessor, Dena Diorio, made about $430,329 annually.
Job description: The county's top boss, responsible for day-to-day operations and carrying out the commissioners' policy decisions.
- Mecklenburg County oversees public health, education, social services, parks and the libraries.
Go deeper: Mecklenburg County manager will assess taxpayers' ROI as he starts new job
2. Leslie Johnson, Deputy County Manager
Salary: $332,342.38
- 2024: $338,027.39
Job description: The county's four deputy managers help Bryant administer departments. Johnson is the executive assigned to the land use and environmental services agency, park and recreation, economic development and historic landmarks.
3. Tyrone Wade, County Attorney
Salary: $327,874.57
- 2024: $304,617.06
Job description: Leads the county's internal legal office.
4. Thomas Owens, Chief Medical Examiner
Salary: $326,213.18
- 2024: $310,501.79
Job description: Directs the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office and works with pathologists and investigators on homicide cases and autopsies.
5. Jonathan Privette, Forensic Pathologist
Salary: $323,771.46
- 2024: $304,617.06
Job description: Works on cases in the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office.
Go deeper: The 5 highest-paid City of Charlotte employees in 2025