Sociologists Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a sociologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $108,050/year ($51.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $110,741 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 24.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $108K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About sociologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level sociologists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K.Top earners bring in $153K or more - a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Sociologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $212K | +108% | N/A |
| Illinois | $135K | +32% | N/A |
| New York | $130K | +28% | 50 |
| California | $121K | +19% | 660 |
| North Carolina | $108K | +6% | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | +2% | 600 |
| Maryland | $95K | -6% | 90 |
| Washington | $88K | -13% | 90 |
| Michigan | $83K | -18% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -19% | 100 |
| Minnesota | $79K | -22% | 30 |
| Ohio | $78K | -24% | 110 |
| Florida | $40K | -61% | 180 |
Track sociologists 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 sociologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $108,050 a year - that works out to about $51.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,990, and experienced sociologists can clear $153,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,628/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a sociologists 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 sociologists salary is worth about $110,741 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sociologists 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.