Mecklenburg County's 5 highest-paid government employees in 2026
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County manager Mike Bryant. Photo: Courtesy of Mecklenburg County
For a transparent look at how taxpayer dollars are spent, Axios keeps a list of the highest-paid government employees locally.
Why it matters: Local government must pay leaders enough to retain talent while still being responsible stewards of tax dollars.
We include only base salaries, not benefits or bonuses.
1. Michael Bryant, Mecklenburg County manager
Salary: $432,600.
Job description: The county's top boss, responsible for day-to-day operations, carrying out the commissioners' policy decisions and making the numbers work in the $2.59 billion operating budget.
- Mecklenburg County has different areas of oversight than the city. Those include public health, education, social services, parks and libraries.
- Bryant first joined the county in 2003 and took the top gig in June 2025.
2. Derrick Ramos, deputy county manager and chief of staff
Salary: $381,706.67.
Job description: The county's deputy managers help Bryant administer departments. Ramos assists the county manager's office, the county commissioners and legislative affairs. Plus, he's assigned to three county departments: asset and facility management, criminal justice services, and the medical examiner's office.
3. Kimm Campbell, deputy county manager
Salary: $373,890.
Job description: Campbell oversees health and human services — which encompasses child, family and adult services, public health, community resources, and community support services — as well as the new housing and community development office.
4. Leslie Johnson, deputy county manager
Salary: $359,428.28.
Job description: Johnson is the executive focused on sustainability. She's assigned to the land use and environmental services agency, park and recreation, economic development, and historic landmarks.
5. Tyrone Wade, county attorney
Salary: $354,596.35.
Job description: Wade leads the county's internal legal office.
Go deeper: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' top-paid employees in 2026