May 2025 · Metropolitan area · BLS OEWS
Salaries in Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
453 occupations
Across 453 occupations with published wages in Durham, chief executives record the highest median at $381,330 per year.
Highest-paying occupations in Durham
| # | Occupation | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Executives | $381,330 | 140 | |
| 2 | Physicians, Pathologists | $272,300 | 30 | |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physicians | $220,840 | — | |
| 4 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $219,990 | — | |
| 5 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $214,620 | 40 | |
| 6 | Dentists, General | $208,490 | 200 | |
| 7 | Orthodontists | $199,990 | — | |
| 8 | Sales Managers | $190,370 | 1,150 | |
| 9 | Natural Sciences Managers | $183,540 | 2,050 | |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $176,190 | 4,170 | |
| 11 | Sales Engineers | $175,310 | 330 | |
| 12 | Marketing Managers | $175,160 | 1,230 | |
| 13 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $175,110 | 430 | |
| 14 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $172,480 | 860 | |
| 15 | Psychiatrists | $170,600 | 40 | |
| 16 | Optometrists | $166,880 | 40 | |
| 17 | Financial Managers | $165,470 | 1,710 | |
| 18 | Human Resources Managers | $160,580 | 630 | |
| 19 | Purchasing Managers | $160,370 | 250 | |
| 20 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $155,680 | 290 | |
| 21 | Economists | $152,130 | 120 | |
| 22 | Managers, All Other | $152,090 | 2,340 | |
| 23 | Computer Network Architects | $144,990 | 970 | |
| 24 | Database Architects | $141,770 | 560 | |
| 25 | Pharmacists | $141,360 | 1,150 |
Largest occupations by employment
| Occupation | Jobs | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 9,790 | $135,620 |
| Retail Salespersons | 5,850 | $31,790 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 5,820 | $46,860 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 5,350 | $29,170 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 5,250 | $37,750 |
| Cashiers | 4,840 | $29,920 |
| Nursing Assistants | 4,830 | $40,560 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 4,660 | $46,800 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 4,520 | $29,190 |
| Office Clerks, General | 4,180 | $47,010 |
Lowest-paying occupations
| Occupation | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Transcriptionists | $26,850 | 150 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,280 | 260 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,410 | 540 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,470 | 560 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,090 | 1,910 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,120 | 350 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,170 | 5,350 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,190 | 4,520 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,440 | 730 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,900 | 50 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.