Chemical Engineers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $114,120 -6.4% vs national
Median hourly $54.86
10th percentile $81,330
90th percentile $156,140
Employed locally 120
National median $121,860

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Chemical Engineers
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,330
    25th
    $99,100
    50th (median)
    $114,120
    75th
    $144,680
    90th
    $156,140

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Engineers salary vs area income 141% Median Chemical Engineers salary is 41% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tulsa, OK $169,250
    Albuquerque, NM $163,380
    Oklahoma $160,990
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $152,290
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $151,360
    New Mexico $147,290

    Nearby metros — Chemical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $131,320
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $129,930
    Lincoln, NE $126,330
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $119,450
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $115,970
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $109,940

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $104,230
    Electrical Engineers $112,090
    Civil Engineers $92,670
    Mechanical Engineers $101,560
    Surveying and Mapping Technicians $61,000
    Engineers, All Other $107,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Engineers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Engineers in Durham, NC is $54.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.02 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Chemical Engineers salaries?

    The median Chemical Engineers salary in Durham, NC is 6.4% below the national median of $121,860. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Engineers in Durham?

    Entry-level Chemical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $81,330 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,100.