SOC 21-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Workers, All Other — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Durham, NC is $91,080 per year, well above the national median of $71,900.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Durham, NC is $91,080 per year, well above the national median of $71,900. The gap of 26.7% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $48,110 and $112,720. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $44,440 and the ninetieth at $123,280.
Employment stands at 180, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $94,930. Of the 453 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 98th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,440 | −38.2% |
| 25th | $48,110 | −33.1% |
| Median (50th) | $91,080 | +26.7% |
| 75th | $112,720 | +56.8% |
| 90th | $123,280 | +71.5% |
| Mean | $85,800 | +19.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $94,930 | 130 | |
| 2 | Wilmington | $91,080 | 40 | |
| 3 | Winston-Salem | $86,150 | 80 | |
| 4 | Charlotte | $69,300 | 310 | |
| 5 | Greenville | $64,610 | 50 | |
| 6 | Raleigh | $53,560 | 120 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $49,470 | 40 | |
| 8 | Greensboro | $46,400 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $91,080 goes as far as $96,585 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 34.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$91,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$96,585US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $91,080 a year, 26.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $44,440 to $123,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $94,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $91,080, or $43.79 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 $71,900, so pay in Durham, NC is 26.7% 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 $123,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $44,440 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 Asheville, at $94,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 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.
Explore related data