Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Raleigh

Written by:
February 17, 2021
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Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Raleigh

Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.

As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Raleigh, NC using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.

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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#46. Nursing assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,020
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,840

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
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#45. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,520
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
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#44. Orderlies

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,050
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- Employment: 46,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($51,240)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($49,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,730)
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#43. Physical therapist aides

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $30,360
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,180
- Employment: 49,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Savannah, GA ($50,470)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($44,720)
--- Boulder, CO ($41,450)
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#42. Medical equipment preparers

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $32,740
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#41. Pharmacy technicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $32,880
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,950

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
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Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#40. Psychiatric technicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $33,460
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)
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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#39. Phlebotomists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $34,080
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
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Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#38. Medical assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $34,290
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,370

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
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#37. Ophthalmic medical technicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $35,160
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
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Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#36. Veterinary technologists and technicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $35,970
- #116 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#35. Massage therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $39,020
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480

National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#34. Medical transcriptionists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $39,930
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#33. Dental assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,200
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
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#32. Recreational therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $44,440
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#31. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $46,490
- #176 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,650

National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
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Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#30. Surgical technologists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $49,910
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)
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Rido // Shutterstock

#29. Opticians, dispensing

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $50,760
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#28. Athletic trainers

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $55,630
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
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#27. Physical therapist assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $56,410
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
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#26. Dietitians and nutritionists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,520
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
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lenetstan // Shutterstock

#25. Radiologic technologists and technicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $57,700
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
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#24. Occupational therapy assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $59,760
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
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Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

#23. Respiratory therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $60,780
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
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#22. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $66,700
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#21. Registered nurses

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $67,770
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,460

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
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SofikoS // Shutterstock

#20. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $68,700
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
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#19. Speech-language pathologists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $68,740
- #296 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
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#18. Audiologists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $69,670
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
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#17. Nuclear medicine technologists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $70,390
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $80,240
- Employment: 18,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($124,660)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,340)
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#16. Dental hygienists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $71,300
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
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ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#15. Occupational therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $80,970
- #217 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 610

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
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Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

#14. Physical therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $84,040
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900

National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
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#13. Radiation therapists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $88,660
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $91,620
- Employment: 17,860
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($142,300)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($126,260)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,720)
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Austin Community College // Flickr

#12. Veterinarians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $93,550
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 610

National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#11. Nurse practitioners

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $108,640
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520

National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
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Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Physician assistants

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $110,620
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700

National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
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Kzenon // Shutterstock

#9. Optometrists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $121,430
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
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Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force

#8. Pharmacists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $122,130
- #254 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,230

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
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KSai23 // Shutterstock

#7. Chiropractors

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $123,770
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
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#6. Pediatricians, general

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $134,320
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
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#5. Podiatrists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $149,090
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $142,680
- Employment: 9,770
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC ($222,760)
--- Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ($206,190)
--- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA ($200,200)
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#4. Nurse anesthetists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $165,840
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560

National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
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LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#3. Psychiatrists

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $195,920
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)
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#2. Family medicine physicians

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $200,930
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
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#1. Dentists, general

Raleigh, NC
- Annual mean salary: $221,480
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730

National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)

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