Life Scientists, All Other Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Life Scientists, All Others in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $109,540 a year, or about $52.66 an hour. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $179K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $112,268 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $110K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About life scientists, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level life scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K.Top earners bring in $179K or more - a $111K spread from bottom to top.
Life Scientists, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $164K | +87% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $129K | +47% | 130 |
| California | $129K | +47% | 880 |
| North Carolina | $124K | +41% | 1,060 |
| Alabama | $107K | +22% | 50 |
| Oregon | $106K | +21% | 210 |
| New Jersey | $105K | +19% | 100 |
| Arizona | $103K | +18% | 130 |
| Maryland | $99K | +13% | 380 |
| Idaho | $97K | +11% | 190 |
| Virginia | $97K | +10% | 460 |
| Washington | $96K | +9% | 240 |
| Texas | $82K | -6% | N/A |
| Georgia | $79K | -10% | 280 |
| New York | $76K | -14% | 230 |
Track life scientists, all other 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 life scientists, all others make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $109,540 a year - that works out to about $52.66 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,210, and experienced life scientists, all others can clear $179,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,710/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a life scientists, all other 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 life scientists, all other salary is worth about $112,268 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do life scientists, all others 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.