Physical Scientists, All Other pay range in Durham
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $183,540 or more. The middle half of other physical scientists in Durham earn between $105,480 and $156,040.
- $82K10th
- $105K25th
- $128KMedian
- $156K75th
- $184K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $129,060 | $10,755 | $62.05 |
| Median | $128,380 | $10,698 | $61.72 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $105,480 | $8,790 | $50.71 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $156,040 | $13,003 | $75.02 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physical Scientists, All Other pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Other physical scientists in Durham earn 13% more than the North Carolina average ($114,340) and about the same as the U.S. average ($129,230). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $122,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $129,060 | $128,380 | $82,350 | $183,540 | 370 |
| North Carolina | $114,340 | $110,030 | $62,320 | $169,040 | 650 |
| United States | $129,230 | $122,570 | $67,000 | $195,190 | 22,300 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary after taxes in Durham
On the average salary of $129,060, a single filer in Durham takes home about $94,838 a year, or $7,903 a month and $3,648 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Durham a good place for other physical scientists? 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 $129,060 buys what about $132,272 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 3.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary in other North Carolina cities
Durham ranks 1st of 2 North Carolina metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Durham$129,060
- Asheville$108,670
All Physical Scientists, All Other salaries in North Carolina
Highest-paying cities for other physical scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($177,370).
- San Jose, CA$177,370
- Minneapolis, MN$172,740
- Washington, DC$166,920
- Palm Bay, FL$158,750
- Huntsville, AL$154,990
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Physical Scientists, All Other salary in Durham: questions
How much do other physical scientists make an hour in Durham?
$62.05 an hour on average, and $61.72 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other physical scientists salary in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $105,480, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other physical scientists take-home pay in Durham?
About $94,838 a year ($7,903 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $129,060.
Do other physical scientists earn more in Durham than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($129,230).
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 19-2099; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.2%.
- 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 7.46, this job is 7.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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