Software Developers Salary in Durham, NC

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

Median annual salary $131,980 -0.8% vs national
Median hourly $63.45
10th percentile $87,170
90th percentile $191,080
Employed locally 8,610
National median $133,080

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Software Developers
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $87,170
    25th
    $109,110
    50th (median)
    $131,980
    75th
    $156,220
    90th
    $191,080

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Developers salary vs area income 163% Median Software Developers salary is 63% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Developers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,340
    Washington $166,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020

    Nearby metros — Software Developers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $149,010
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $140,820
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $132,100
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $132,010
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $131,390

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Systems Analysts$112,820
    Computer Occupations, All Other$121,140
    Computer User Support Specialists$63,370
    Data Scientists$93,110
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators$108,490
    Computer Network Support Specialists$114,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Developers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Software Developers in Durham, NC is $63.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.68 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Software Developers salaries?

    The median Software Developers salary in Durham, NC is 0.8% below the national median of $133,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Developers in Durham?

    Entry-level Software Developers (10th percentile) earn around $87,170 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $109,110.