Epidemiologists Salary
In North Carolina, epidemiologists earn $84,770 at the median, or about $40.76 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $91,485 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 23.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in North Carolina?
About epidemiologists
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Epidemiologists pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $85K locally vs. $87K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 24% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $169K or more, a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Epidemiologists salary by metro in North Carolina
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | $85K | +0% | 70 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $83K | -2% | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $68K | -20% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 24% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for epidemiologists in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new epidemiologists typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,388/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 38% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is epidemiologist a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $85K locally vs. $87K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for epidemiologists?
North Carolina pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $87K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do epidemiologists make in North Carolina?
The median is $84,770 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,470, and experienced epidemiologists can clear $168,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,351/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 24% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a epidemiologists salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 epidemiologists salary is worth about $91,485 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do epidemiologists 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.
