Durham Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Durham, NC: $33.65/hr median hourly wage, $70,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 102, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Carolina taxes.
Durham Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Durham, NC is $33.65/hr, equivalent to $70,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $20.86/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $47.78/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$70,000
$33.65/hr
Cost of Living
102
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Durham, NC Overview
Population
283,506
Median Salary
$70,000
Average Salary
$78,000
Avg Commute
23 min
Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Job Growth
+3.2%
Sales Tax
7.5%
Durham is located in North Carolina with a population of 283,506. The median household salary is $70,000 per year ($33.65/hour), which is $10,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 23 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +3.2%.
Durham Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Durham, NC based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $70,000 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 | $43,400 | $20.86/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $70,000 | $33.65/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $99,400 | $47.78/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $124,600 | $59.90/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.
Durham Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Durham, NC, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$55,100
$4,591.67/month · $2,119.23/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,119.23 take-home per paycheck after estimated North Carolina and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$70,000
Federal Tax
-$6,570
State Tax
-$2,975
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,355
Net Pay
$55,100
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,833.33 | $70,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$547.50 | -$6,570.00 |
| North Carolina State Tax (4.25%) | -$247.92 | -$2,975.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$361.67 | -$4,340.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$84.58 | -$1,015.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,591.67 | $55,100.00 |
Salary Comparison: Durham vs Other Cities
See how Durham's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC | $70,000 | 102 | $68,627 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $70,000 | 118 | $59,322 |
| Westminster, CO | $70,000 | 108 | $64,815 |
| Coachella, CA | $69,983 | 137.3 | $50,971 |
| Murrieta, CA | $69,978 | 122.3 | $57,218 |
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 Durham
Durham's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100). Living in Durham is 2% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$350,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Annual Rent Cost
$16,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $55,100 annual take-home pay in Durham has the purchasing power of approximately $54,020 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $71,400 in Durham to match a $70,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Durham
Durham's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $70,000.
Salary Tips for Durham Workers
- Research top industries. Durham's top industries include Technology, Healthcare, Education. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $70,000 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 Durham salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Durham-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 Durham indexed at 102.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Durham's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $70,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Carolina state income tax (4.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Durham: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Healthcare, Education — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 3.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Carolina.
- Housing context: median home price $350,000, median rent $1,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Durham, NC:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Durham unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Durham 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. Durham'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
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Durham, NC?
The median hourly wage in Durham, NC is $33.65 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $70,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $20.86/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $47.78/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Durham, NC?
The median salary in Durham, NC is $70,000 per year, or $33.65 per hour. The average salary is $78,000. This is $10,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC?
Durham's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $350,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.
What are the best industries in Durham?
The top industries in Durham, NC include Technology, Healthcare, Education. The city has a job growth rate of 3.2% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $70,000.
How does Durham's salary compare to other cities?
Durham's median salary of $70,000 is 17.9% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 102), the real purchasing power is approximately $68,627.
What is the minimum wage in Durham, NC?
The minimum wage in Durham, 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.