Environmental Engineers Salary in Durham, NC

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

Median annual salary $118,550 +13.8% vs national
Median hourly $57.00
10th percentile $86,860
90th percentile $143,840
Employed locally 80
National median $104,170

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Environmental Engineers
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $86,860
    25th
    $104,760
    50th (median)
    $118,550
    75th
    $140,280
    90th
    $143,840

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Engineers salary vs area income 146% Median Environmental Engineers salary is 46% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $140,760
    Bend, OR $140,590
    Midland, TX $139,230
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $138,090

    Nearby metros — Environmental Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $122,290
    Wilmington, NC $119,350
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $115,070
    Anchorage, AK $110,800
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $106,620

    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 Environmental Engineers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Engineers in Durham, NC is $57.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.77 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Environmental Engineers salaries?

    The median Environmental Engineers salary in Durham, NC is 13.8% above the national median of $104,170. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Environmental Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $86,860 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,760.