Civil Engineers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Civil Engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $92,670 a year, or about $44.56 an hour. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $94,978 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 28.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $93K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About civil engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level civil engineers (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K.Top earners bring in $147K or more - a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Civil Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118K | +19% | 54,640 |
| Rhode Island | $112K | +13% | 1,200 |
| Alaska | $107K | +8% | 1,540 |
| Washington | $105K | +6% | 11,900 |
| New Mexico | $105K | +5% | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | +5% | 9,460 |
| Mississippi | $104K | +4% | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $104K | +4% | 6,780 |
| Oregon | $103K | +3% | 4,140 |
| New York | $102K | +3% | 17,000 |
| Louisiana | $102K | +3% | 3,170 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +3% | 1,840 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +2% | 4,130 |
| Minnesota | $101K | +2% | 4,350 |
| Maryland | $100K | +1% | 5,120 |
Track civil engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $92,670 a year - that works out to about $44.56 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,430, and experienced civil engineers can clear $146,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,784/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a civil engineers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median civil engineers salary is worth about $94,978 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do civil engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.