SOC 51-9198 · Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro

Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Durham, NC

The average salary for helpers--production workers in Durham, North Carolina is $37,710 a year ($18.13 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $40,290: half of the 100 people in this job in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($41,120).

$37,710average per year

$18.13 / hourMedian $40,290Take-home ≈ $31,484

  • $26K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $40KMedian
  • $41K75th
  • $48K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

100people in this job
-8%vs U.S. average
#9 of 9North Carolina metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Helpers--Production Workers pay range in Durham

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,650 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,730 or more. The middle half of helpers--production workers in Durham earn between $30,990 and $40,650.

  • $26K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $40KMedian
  • $41K75th
  • $48K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$37,710$3,142$18.13
Median$40,290$3,358$19.37
Entry level (25th percentile)$30,990$2,582$14.90
Experienced (75th percentile)$40,650$3,388$19.54

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Helpers--Production Workers pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Helpers--production workers in Durham earn 8% less than the North Carolina average ($40,840) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($41,120). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $39,070.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Durham$37,710$40,290$25,650$47,730100
North Carolina$40,840$39,410$30,350$50,5804,350
United States$41,120$39,070$31,140$53,410165,700

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Helpers--Production Workers salary after taxes in Durham

On the average salary of $37,710, a single filer in Durham takes home about $31,484 a year, or $2,624 a month and $1,211 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Durham a good place for helpers--production workers? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $37,710 buys what about $38,648 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 11.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $37,710 is worth in another city

Helpers--Production Workers salary in other North Carolina cities

Durham ranks 9th of 9 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Asheville pays the most ($42,870).

All Helpers--Production Workers salaries in North Carolina

Highest-paying cities for helpers--production workers

Napa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($54,850).

Helpers--Production Workers salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Helpers--Production Workers in Durham, NC.

Helpers--Production Workers salary in Durham: questions

How much do helpers--production workers make an hour in Durham?

$18.13 an hour on average, and $19.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level helpers--production workers salary in Durham?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $25,650 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,990, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the helpers--production workers take-home pay in Durham?

About $31,484 a year ($2,624 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,710.

Do helpers--production workers earn more in Durham than elsewhere?

The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($41,120).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9198; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.28, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.28).

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