SOC 19-1099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Life Scientists, All Other — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Durham, NC comes to $105,850 a year, ahead of the national median of $93,750 by 12.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Durham, NC comes to $105,850 a year, ahead of the national median of $93,750 by 12.9%. Pay ranges from under $63,940 at the tenth percentile to more than $174,250 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,990 to $150,190.
Employment stands at 460, or 1.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Charlotte records the highest median at $105,370. Of the 453 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 68th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,940 | −31.8% |
| 25th | $81,990 | −12.5% |
| Median (50th) | $105,850 | +12.9% |
| 75th | $150,190 | +60.2% |
| 90th | $174,250 | +85.9% |
| Mean | $119,330 | +27.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $105,370 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $105,850 goes as far as $112,248 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$105,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$112,248US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $105,850 a year, 12.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,940 to $174,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 460 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlotte, at $105,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Life Scientists, All Other in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $105,850, or $50.89 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,750, so pay in Durham, NC is 12.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $174,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,940 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Charlotte, at $105,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 460 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
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.
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