Data Scientists Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a data scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $93,110/year ($44.76/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $95,429 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $93K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Durham-Chapel Hill’s Regional Price Parity (97.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About data scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level data scientists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Data Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +41% | 7,930 |
| District of Columbia | $137K | +22% | 3,580 |
| California | $137K | +22% | 36,850 |
| Massachusetts | $132K | +17% | 9,990 |
| New Jersey | $130K | +16% | 5,860 |
| Virginia | $126K | +12% | 6,200 |
| New York | $125K | +11% | 20,070 |
| Maryland | $124K | +10% | 3,400 |
| Hawaii | $124K | +10% | 240 |
| Vermont | $121K | +7% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $118K | +5% | 3,500 |
| Utah | $116K | +3% | 4,830 |
| North Carolina | $115K | +2% | 10,140 |
| Rhode Island | $114K | +2% | 1,190 |
| Illinois | $113K | +1% | 7,390 |
| Kansas | $110K | -2% | 340 |
| Connecticut | $110K | -2% | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $109K | -3% | 980 |
| Montana | $107K | -5% | 200 |
| Texas | $107K | -5% | 23,420 |
| Oregon | $106K | -6% | 2,650 |
| Arizona | $106K | -6% | 4,080 |
| Florida | $106K | -6% | 9,480 |
| Alabama | $105K | -6% | 1,620 |
| Tennessee | $105K | -7% | 2,550 |
| Arkansas | $104K | -7% | 470 |
| Georgia | $103K | -9% | 7,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $100K | -11% | 10,430 |
| Wisconsin | $100K | -11% | 3,640 |
| Michigan | $99K | -12% | 6,450 |
| New Hampshire | $99K | -12% | 870 |
| Ohio | $99K | -12% | 5,510 |
| Iowa | $98K | -13% | 2,330 |
| Nebraska | $96K | -14% | 1,850 |
| North Dakota | $96K | -15% | 320 |
| Wyoming | $96K | -15% | N/A |
| West Virginia | $96K | -15% | 220 |
| Maine | $94K | -16% | 1,040 |
| Kentucky | $93K | -17% | 1,700 |
| Nevada | $93K | -17% | 1,230 |
| South Dakota | $92K | -18% | 270 |
| South Carolina | $91K | -19% | 2,810 |
| Missouri | $86K | -24% | 4,350 |
| New Mexico | $85K | -24% | 510 |
| Indiana | $84K | -25% | 3,120 |
| Oklahoma | $80K | -29% | 2,160 |
| Alaska | $77K | -31% | 210 |
| Louisiana | $71K | -37% | 1,120 |
| Mississippi | $69K | -38% | 270 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track data scientists 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 data scientists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $93,110 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,370, and experienced data scientists can clear $170,940. 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 $5,808/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month, which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a data scientists 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 data scientists salary is worth about $95,429 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do data scientists 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.