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Average salary by job family in Durham
| Management | $160,390 |
|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical | $128,560 |
| Legal | $116,230 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $109,510 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $100,190 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $99,010 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $90,560 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $80,150 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $77,430 |
| Sales and Related | $63,960 |
| Community and Social Service | $62,710 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $60,040 |
| Construction and Extraction | $57,190 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $50,590 |
| Production | $50,290 |
| Protective Service | $50,180 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $42,830 |
| Healthcare Support | $42,430 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $42,190 |
| Personal Care and Service | $41,450 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $39,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $34,970 |
Highest-paying jobs in Durham
- Chief Executives$425,580
- Physicians, Pathologists$303,710
- Orthodontists$278,540
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$270,870
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$234,920
- Dentists, General$217,070
- Family Medicine Physicians$214,300
- Natural Sciences Managers$200,320
- Sales Managers$199,590
- Marketing Managers$192,140
Most common jobs in Durham and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 9,790 | $148,390 | $135,620 |
| Retail Salespersons | 5,850 | $34,360 | $31,790 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 5,820 | $46,540 | $46,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 5,350 | $30,280 | $29,170 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 5,250 | $37,260 | $37,750 |
| Cashiers | 4,840 | $31,390 | $29,920 |
| Nursing Assistants | 4,830 | $42,540 | $40,560 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 4,660 | $47,060 | $46,800 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 4,520 | $29,290 | $29,190 |
| Office Clerks, General | 4,180 | $45,480 | $47,010 |
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Cost of living in Durham
Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 97.6 for 2024. The average local salary of $79,700 therefore buys what $81,683 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $414,340, 5.1 times the median household income of $81,017.
$414,340typical home value
$81,017median household income
97.6BEA price parity
594,291metro population
Take-home pay in Durham
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $39,990 | $33,225 | $2,769 |
| Median wage | $60,720 | $49,055 | $4,088 |
| Average wage | $79,700 | $62,228 | $5,186 |
| 75th percentile wage | $100,130 | $75,785 | $6,315 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Salaries for every job in Durham
Management30 jobs
- Chief Executives$426K
- Natural Sciences Managers$200K
- Sales Managers$200K
- Marketing Managers$192K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$192K
- Financial Managers$185K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$183K
- Human Resources Managers$178K
- Purchasing Managers$165K
- Managers, All Other$164K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$160K
- Public Relations Managers$156K
- Industrial Production Managers$151K
- Training and Development Managers$146K
- Fundraising Managers$146K
- General and Operations Managers$141K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$135K
- Construction Managers$133K
- Administrative Services Managers$127K
- Facilities Managers$125K
- Compensation and Benefits Managers$113K
- Emergency Management Directors$112K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$100K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$95K
- Education Administrators, All Other$94K
- Social and Community Service Managers$92K
- Lodging Managers$79K
- Food Service Managers$78K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$70K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$61K
Computer and Mathematical19 jobs
- Computer and Information Research Scientists$152K
- Software Developers$148K
- Computer Network Architects$147K
- Database Architects$140K
- Information Security Analysts$134K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$133K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$124K
- Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other$120K
- Data Scientists$120K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$119K
- Database Administrators$118K
- Operations Research Analysts$117K
- Statisticians$117K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$115K
- Computer Systems Analysts$115K
- Computer Programmers$108K
- Web Developers$97K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$90K
- Computer User Support Specialists$80K
Legal4 jobs
Architecture and Engineering26 jobs
- Computer Hardware Engineers$185K
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$145K
- Electrical Engineers$129K
- Engineers, All Other$128K
- Chemical Engineers$125K
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$124K
- Materials Engineers$117K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$113K
- Industrial Engineers$113K
- Environmental Engineers$112K
- Mechanical Engineers$112K
- Civil Engineers$102K
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$102K
- Surveyors$90K
- Landscape Architects$88K
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$82K
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$82K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$73K
- Mechanical Drafters$71K
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians$70K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$69K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$66K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$64K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical35 jobs
- Physicians, Pathologists$304K
- Orthodontists$279K
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons$271K
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$235K
- Dentists, General$217K
- Family Medicine Physicians$214K
- Psychiatrists$181K
- Optometrists$165K
- Physicians, All Other$146K
- Pharmacists$140K
- Veterinarians$139K
- Physician Assistants$136K
- Nurse Practitioners$134K
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$129K
- Dental Hygienists$97K
- Audiologists$97K
- Physical Therapists$96K
- Occupational Therapists$90K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$87K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$83K
- Acupuncturists$82K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$74K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$67K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$67K
- Paramedics$64K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$61K
- Recreational Therapists$60K
- Opticians, Dispensing$60K
- Surgical Technologists$60K
- Medical Records Specialists$60K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$56K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$48K
- Pharmacy Technicians$47K
- Psychiatric Technicians$43K
- Dietetic Technicians$39K
Business and Financial Operations25 jobs
- Management Analysts$128K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$120K
- Financial Risk Specialists$119K
- Project Management Specialists$115K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$107K
- Accountants and Auditors$98K
- Logisticians$98K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$98K
- Personal Financial Advisors$94K
- Compliance Officers$92K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$92K
- Insurance Underwriters$92K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$91K
- Human Resources Specialists$88K
- Credit Analysts$88K
- Budget Analysts$87K
- Cost Estimators$85K
- Fundraisers$84K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$84K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$80K
- Training and Development Specialists$79K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$76K
- Loan Officers$75K
- Tax Preparers$62K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$59K
Life, Physical, and Social Science29 jobs
- Economists$159K
- Sociologists$130K
- Physical Scientists, All Other$129K
- Life Scientists, All Other$119K
- Materials Scientists$112K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$108K
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$107K
- Epidemiologists$106K
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$104K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$103K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$103K
- Microbiologists$102K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$102K
- Chemists$95K
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$95K
- Conservation Scientists$94K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$93K
- Psychologists, All Other$91K
- Soil and Plant Scientists$90K
- Anthropologists and Archeologists$86K
- Urban and Regional Planners$85K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$81K
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$76K
- Chemical Technicians$67K
- School Psychologists$64K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$61K
- Biological Technicians$59K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$57K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$56K
Educational Instruction and Library34 jobs
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$158K
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$118K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$97K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$79K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$77K
- Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$76K
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$70K
- Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$70K
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$69K
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$68K
- Instructional Coordinators$68K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$62K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$62K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$58K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$57K
- Curators$57K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$57K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$56K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$55K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$55K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$54K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$54K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$54K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$53K
- Tutors$51K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$49K
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool$48K
- Museum Technicians and Conservators$43K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$35K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$32K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media15 jobs
- Technical Writers$102K
- Special Effects Artists and Animators$99K
- Art Directors$96K
- Commercial and Industrial Designers$88K
- Public Relations Specialists$85K
- Writers and Authors$84K
- Editors$83K
- Producers and Directors$76K
- Graphic Designers$67K
- Interior Designers$66K
- Interpreters and Translators$58K
- Audio and Video Technicians$50K
- Photographers$47K
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$42K
- Floral Designers$37K
Sales and Related18 jobs
- Sales Engineers$184K
- Real Estate Brokers$134K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$132K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$126K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$99K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$93K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$85K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$80K
- Advertising Sales Agents$74K
- Insurance Sales Agents$68K
- Travel Agents$63K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$54K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$51K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$42K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$41K
- Parts Salespersons$36K
- Retail Salespersons$34K
- Cashiers$31K
Community and Social Service15 jobs
- Health Education Specialists$87K
- Social Workers, All Other$86K
- Healthcare Social Workers$72K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$67K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$66K
- Clergy$65K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$64K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$62K
- Counselors, All Other$61K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$59K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$58K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$57K
- Community Health Workers$51K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$47K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$45K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair26 jobs
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$89K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$79K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$77K
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$76K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$73K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$70K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$70K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$70K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$67K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$66K
- Millwrights$66K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$62K
- Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$60K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$58K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$58K
- Mechanical Door Repairers$57K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$56K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$56K
- Locksmiths and Safe Repairers$55K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$53K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$50K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$50K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$49K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$38K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$36K
Construction and Extraction21 jobs
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$83K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$76K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$71K
- Electricians$60K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$59K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$59K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$55K
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$54K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$53K
- Carpenters$53K
- Glaziers$51K
- Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$51K
- Sheet Metal Workers$51K
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical$49K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48K
- Construction Laborers$47K
- Pipelayers$47K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$45K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$45K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$44K
- Helpers--Electricians$43K
Office and Administrative Support36 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$74K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$71K
- Postal Service Clerks$64K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$57K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$56K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$55K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$55K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$55K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$55K
- Procurement Clerks$54K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$54K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$53K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$53K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$53K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$53K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$51K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$49K
- File Clerks$49K
- Customer Service Representatives$47K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$47K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$47K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$46K
- Office Clerks, General$45K
- Tellers$44K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$44K
- Order Clerks$44K
- Bill and Account Collectors$44K
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$43K
- Data Entry Keyers$42K
- Couriers and Messengers$42K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$41K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$41K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$38K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$36K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33K
Production37 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$79K
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$68K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$60K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$59K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$58K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$55K
- Upholsterers$55K
- Prepress Technicians and Workers$55K
- Machinists$55K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$50K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$49K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$47K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Production Workers, All Other$47K
- Printing Press Operators$47K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$44K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$43K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$42K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$42K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39K
- Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$38K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$38K
- Helpers--Production Workers$38K
- Sewing Machine Operators$35K
- Bakers$34K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34K
Protective Service14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$91K
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators$72K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$72K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$70K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$63K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$62K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$58K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$53K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$52K
- Firefighters$42K
- Security Guards$41K
- School Bus Monitors$37K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$36K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$30K
Transportation and Material Moving17 jobs
- Crane and Tower Operators$70K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$48K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$47K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$45K
- Light Truck Drivers$44K
- Bus Drivers, School$42K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$38K
- Driver/Sales Workers$38K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$36K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$36K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$35K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35K
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$30K
- Parking Attendants$29K
Healthcare Support14 jobs
- Massage Therapists$72K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$71K
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$68K
- Dental Assistants$53K
- Phlebotomists$47K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$47K
- Medical Assistants$46K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$46K
- Nursing Assistants$43K
- Physical Therapist Aides$42K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$40K
- Pharmacy Aides$40K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$34K
- Medical Transcriptionists$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Personal Care and Service15 jobs
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$58K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$55K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$53K
- Residential Advisors$52K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$52K
- Animal Trainers$50K
- Skincare Specialists$49K
- Funeral Attendants$40K
- Animal Caretakers$36K
- Recreation Workers$35K
- Tour and Travel Guides$34K
- Childcare Workers$33K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$30K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$29K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance7 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$57K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$56K
- Pest Control Workers$49K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$42K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$37K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$68K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$47K
- Bartenders$42K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$39K
- Waiters and Waitresses$38K
- Cooks, Short Order$36K
- Cooks, Restaurant$36K
- Food Preparation Workers$34K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$34K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33K
- Dishwashers$33K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$30K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$29K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28K
Jobs paid by the hour in Durham
For 1 job in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area BLS publishes an hourly wage only, because the work is rarely full-time all year (gigs, seasons, performances). An annual figure would overstate what most people earn, so we show the hourly rate.
| Job | Average per hour | Median per hour | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musicians and Singers | $34.31 | $28.56 | 40 |
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Salary in Durham: questions
What is a good salary in Durham?
Half of all workers in the Durham metro earn less than $60,720 and the average is $79,700. Earning more than $100,130 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Durham to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $68,076, because prices here are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Durham?
Chief Executives ($425,580), Physicians, Pathologists ($303,710), Orthodontists ($278,540).
What is the average salary in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, where the average salary is $79,700 a year and the median $60,720. BLS does not publish separate wage figures for Chapel Hill, so these metro figures are the closest official guide.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500), all occupations and 453 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.