Salary & Cost of Living in Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, NC: $50,941 median salary, cost of living index 97.2, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,941
$24/hr
Cost of Living
97.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Chapel Hill, NC Overview
Population
61,960
Median Salary
$50,941
Average Salary
$57,054
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Rent
$1,071/mo
Job Growth
+0.6%
Sales Tax
4.75%
Chapel Hill is located in North Carolina with a population of 61,960. The median household salary is $50,941 per year ($24/hour), which is $8,443 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.6%.
Chapel Hill Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Chapel Hill, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,941 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $31,583 | $15.18/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,941 | $24.49/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $72,336 | $34.78/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $90,675 | $43.59/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Chapel Hill Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Chapel Hill, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,677
$3,389.77/month · $1,564.51/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.1%
Gross Pay
$50,941
Federal Tax
-$4,074
State Tax
-$2,292
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,897
Net Pay
$40,677
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,245.08 | $50,941.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$339.54 | -$4,074.42 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.5%) | -$191.03 | -$2,292.35 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$263.20 | -$3,158.34 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$61.55 | -$738.64 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,389.77 | $40,677.25 |
Salary Comparison: Chapel Hill vs Other Cities
See how Chapel Hill's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill, NC | $50,941 | 97.2 | $52,408 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Gary, IN | $50,954 | 87.4 | $58,300 |
| Holland, MI | $50,974 | 82.2 | $62,012 |
| Rock Island, IL | $50,981 | 93.6 | $54,467 |
| Romeoville, IL | $50,986 | 89.1 | $57,223 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill's cost of living index is 97.2 (national average = 100). Living in Chapel Hill is 2.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,071
Annual Rent Cost
$12,852
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,677 annual take-home pay in Chapel Hill has the purchasing power of approximately $41,849 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,941 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,941.
Salary Tips for Chapel Hill Workers
- Research top industries. Chapel Hill's top industries include Banking, Technology, Biotech. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,941 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Chapel Hill salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Chapel Hill-NC metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Chapel Hill indexed at 97.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Chapel Hill's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,941 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina state income tax (4.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Chapel Hill: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Banking, Technology, Biotech — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $260,000, median rent $1,071/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Chapel Hill, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Chapel Hill unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Chapel Hill QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — North Carolina — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Chapel Hill's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent North Carolina labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary in Chapel Hill, NC is $50,941 per year, or $24 per hour. The average salary is $57,054. This is $8,443 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Chapel Hill, NC?
Chapel Hill's cost of living index is 97.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $260,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,071.
What are the best industries in Chapel Hill?
The top industries in Chapel Hill, NC include Banking, Technology, Biotech. The city has a job growth rate of 0.6% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,941.
How does Chapel Hill's salary compare to other cities?
Chapel Hill's median salary of $50,941 is 14.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 97.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $52,408.
What is the minimum wage in Chapel Hill, NC?
The minimum wage in Chapel Hill, NC is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.