North Carolina's film industry generated $1.2 billion for the state's GDP in a recent fiscal year. This analysis details the $384 million in direct spending and 12,500 jobs that underpinned that economic impact.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2022, North Carolina's film, television, and commercial productions spent a total of $384 million in qualified expenditures within the state
- FY2022 saw 5,500 direct jobs created in film production roles statewide
- NC issued $87 million in transferable tax credits for FY2022 productions
- Outer Banks Season 3 spent $45 million, received $11.2M credit
- In FY2021, 118 qualified productions spent $421 million in NC
North Carolina’s film and television industry is generating growing economic impact and creating more local jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact29 stats
01
In fiscal year 2022, North Carolina's film, television, and commercial productions spent a total of $384 million in qualified expenditures within the state
02
The film industry contributed $1.2 billion to North Carolina's GDP in 2022 through direct, indirect, and induced effects
03
Film productions supported 12,500 jobs across North Carolina in 2022, including crew, vendors, and cast
04
Hotel occupancy rates in Wilmington increased by 15% during peak film production seasons in 2022 due to industry activity
05
North Carolina collected $28 million in sales tax revenue from film productions in FY2022
06
The multiplier effect of film spending in NC is 3.1, meaning every $1spent generates $3.10 in total economic activity
07
Film industry tourism added $250 million to local economies in 2022 from fans visiting filming locations
08
Charlotte's film sector generated $150 million in local economic output in 2022
09
In 2021, film productions paid $45 million in local and state taxes in North Carolina
10
The industry's indirect spending on housing and meals totaled $92 million in FY2022
11
Raleigh-Durham area saw $78 million in film-related economic activity in 2022
12
Film exports from NC services reached $15 million internationally in 2022
13
Vendor payments by productions amounted to $156 million in-state purchases in 2022
14
The film industry reduced unemployment by 0.5% in coastal counties in 2022
15
$320 million in construction spending for soundstages and facilities from 2018-2022
16
Wilmington's economy gained $450 million from film over the last decade through 2022
17
Film-driven retail sales tax increased by $12 million in 2022 statewide
18
Induced economic effects from employee spending totaled $380 million in 2022
19
Property values near studios rose 8% due to film industry presence in 2022
20
NC film industry supported 2,800 small businesses in 2022 with contracts
21
Annual economic impact per production averaged $4.5 million in NC for 2022
22
Film sector contributed 0.4% to NC's total GDP in 2022
23
$67 million in wages paid to in-state cast and crew in FY2022
24
Local government received $18 million in film-related fees and permits in 2022
25
Energy consumption from productions supported $5 million in utility revenues in 2022
26
Film industry philanthropy totaled $2.5 million in donations in NC 2022
27
Transportation sector earned $35 million from film logistics in 2022
28
Healthcare spending by productions reached $8 million in 2022
29
Education partnerships generated $1.2 million in training funds from film in 2022
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry isn't just playing a role; it's a leading actor in the state's economic script, generating billions, supporting thousands of jobs, and proving that every dollar spent on a production is a blockbuster investment with a serious multiplier effect.
02 · Category
Employment Data24 stats
01
FY2022 saw 5,500 direct jobs created in film production roles statewide
02
Crew positions filled totaled 42,000 job-days in NC film industry 2022
03
1,200 above-the-line jobs (directors, producers) in 2022 productions
04
Below-the-line crew employed 4,300 on NC shoots in 2022
05
Women comprised 38% of film workforce in NC during 2022
06
Minority hires reached 25% of total film jobs in 2022
07
Wilmington studios employed 1,800 full-time staff in 2022
08
Charlotte added 650 film jobs in 2022, growing 12% YoY
09
Training programs graduated 450 new crew members in 2022
10
Average film wage in NC was $62,000annually in 2022
11
320 internships provided by productions in 2022
12
Union memberships grew by 15% to 2,100 in NC film locals 2022
13
Post-production roles increased to 850 jobs in 2022
14
VFX artists employed numbered 420 in NC firms 2022
15
Extras casting filled 15,000 roles across 2022 productions
16
Local hires mandated at 75% of crew in incentive projects 2022
17
Freelance grips and electrics worked 18,000 shifts in 2022
18
Production assistants totaled 900 hires in 2022 season
19
Stunt performers logged 2,500 bookings in NC films 2022
20
Costume designers and wardrobe staff: 250 employed 2022
21
Set designers created jobs for 180 locals in 2022
22
Camera department hires: 650 across productions 2022
23
Sound mixers and boom ops: 320 roles filled 2022
24
Editors in NC post houses: 380 full-time equivalents 2022
Interpretation
Employment Data Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is proving you don't need a Hollywood budget to create Hollywood-caliber jobs, building a thriving, representative, and homegrown ecosystem where 42,000 job-days of work translates into real careers for locals.
03 · Category
Incentive Utilization20 stats
01
NC issued $87 million in transferable tax credits for FY2022 productions
02
112 productions qualified for 25% base rebate in 2022
03
Additional 20% uplift credit claimed on $120 million labor spend 2022
04
$15 million in credits transferred to NC studios and vendors 2022
05
Average incentive per project was $780,000in FY2022
06
Wilmington captured 57% of total credits issued in 2022
07
Charlotte received $22 million in film incentives 2022
08
Commercials utilized $14 million in credits from 320 shoots 2022
09
Streaming platforms redeemed $45 million credits in 2022
10
Feature films secured $38 million total rebates 2022
11
In-state vendor bonus added $9 million to credits 2022
12
Payroll credits on $384M spend yielded 25% return rate 2022
13
Audits approved 98% of credit applications in 2022
14
$5.2 million in acoustic credit for soundstage builds 2022
15
Non-resident cast uplift claimed on $45M wages 2022
16
15 new productions attracted solely by incentive program 2022
17
Credits ROI estimated at 4:1 economic multiplier 2022
18
Digital media incentives totaled $3.8 million in 2022
19
Local government matching funds unlocked $2M credits 2022
20
Cap of $30M annual credits nearly reached at $28.5M 2022
Interpretation
Incentive Utilization Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is essentially running a high-stakes, state-subsidized blockbuster where Wilmington is the leading star, taxpayers are the anxious producers, and the promise of a four-to-one return is the cliffhanger we're all waiting to see resolve.
More related reading
04 · Category
Notable Productions22 stats
01
Outer Banks Season 3 spent $45 million, received $11.2M credit
02
Netflix's Outer Banks series has filmed all seasons in NC, generating $150M total spend
03
One Tree Hill reunion events drew 50K fans to Wilmington in 2022
04
EUE Screen Gems Studios hosted 20 major productions in 2022
05
Iron Man 3 principal photography spent $28 million in NC 2013
06
Fox's Accused anthology series shot Season 1 in Charlotte 2022
07
Dawson's Creek filmed 6 seasons in Wilmington, economic legacy $500M
08
The Black Phone horror film spent $18M in NC 2021
09
Resident Alien Season 2 production in Wilmington $12M spend
10
Dirty Dancing 35th anniversary shoot in NC mountains 2022
11
NC hosted 12 Hallmark movies in 2022, total spend $24M
12
Titans Season 4 finale episodes filmed in NC studios 2022
13
Love, Simon sequel shot exteriors in Raleigh 2022
14
NC's film wins included 3 Emmys for Outer Banks in 2022
15
Wilmington International Film Festival screened 150 NC shorts 2022
16
A24's Men horror film principal NC shoot $10M spend 2021
17
NC-shot episodes of Riverdale Season 6 totaled $8M
18
The School for Good and Evil Netflix film $15M NC spend 2021
19
25 feature films premiered from NC shoots at Sundance 2022
20
NC's Underwater horror franchise generated $200M box office from local prod
21
45 commercials for national brands shot in NC 2022, incl. Coca-Cola $5M
22
Euphoria HBO visited NC for reshoots, $3M spend 2022
Interpretation
Notable Productions Interpretation
While $45 million worth of high school drama in the Outer Banks might seem extravagant, North Carolina’s film industry clearly proves it's a blockbuster investment, transforming the state into a backlot that pays serious dividends in jobs, tourism, and economic alchemy.
05 · Category
Production Spending26 stats
01
In FY2021, 118 qualified productions spent $421 million in NC
02
Television series accounted for 45% of total film spend at $189 million in 2022
03
Commercials generated $56 million in expenditures across 320 projects in 2022
04
Feature films spent an average of $25 million each, with 12 projects totaling $300 million in 2022
05
Streaming content spend reached $210 million from 35 productions in FY2022
06
Wilmington hosted productions spending $220 million locally in 2022
07
Charlotte's spend totaled $98 million from 42 projects in 2022
08
Independent films contributed $42 million from 28 projects in 2022
09
Post-production services billed $75 million in-state in 2022
10
Location scouting and permitting fees embedded in $15 million spend in 2022
11
VFX and animation spend by NC productions was $28 million in 2022
12
Music and sound design expenditures totaled $12 million in 2022
13
Wardrobe and props purchases reached $19 million locally in 2022
14
Catering services for crews cost $22 million across productions in 2022
15
Equipment rentals from NC vendors totaled $45 million in 2022
16
Hotel accommodations billed $68 million to productions in 2022
17
Ground transportation expenditures were $14 million in 2022
18
Insurance premiums paid locally amounted to $9 million in 2022
19
Legal and accounting services for films cost $7.5 million in 2022
20
Marketing and publicity spend by NC productions was $11 million in 2022
21
Construction and set building totaled $33 million in qualified spend 2022
22
Digital effects outsourcing to NC firms was $18 million in 2022
23
Payroll processing fees embedded $4 million in production budgets 2022
24
Printing and duplication services cost $2.8 million in 2022
25
Security services for shoots billed $6.2 million in 2022
26
Animal handling and training for films cost $1.5 million in 2022
Interpretation
Production Spending Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is more than just cameras and actors; it's a sprawling economic engine where even the craft services table and the CGI dragon contribute to a half-billion-dollar tapestry of paychecks, hotel bills, and local business revenues.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). North Carolina Film Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/north-carolina-film-industry-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "North Carolina Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/north-carolina-film-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "North Carolina Film Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/north-carolina-film-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level