How much does a chemist make in Durham?
$81,580a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $39.22 an hour or $6,798 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.22
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 135 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 1,140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,260Median: $81,580Highest 10%: $137,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,260 | $30.41 | |
| 25th | $78,000 | $37.50 | |
| Median | $81,580 | $39.22 | |
| 75th | $109,500 | $52.63 | |
| 90th | $137,300 | $66.02 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| Winston-Salem, NC | $98,090 |
| Greensboro, NC | $97,690 |
| Charlotte, NC | $88,890 |
| Raleigh, NC | $84,150 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $81,990 |
| Hickory, NC | $80,860 |
| Wilmington, NC | $78,130 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economist | $152,100 |
| Physical Scientist | $128,400 |
| Sociologist | $126,800 |
| Materials Scientist | $123,100 |
| Life Scientist | $105,900 |
| Geoscientist | $99,560 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,700 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $98,490 |
| Medical Scientist | $96,430 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $93,420 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $39.22 ($81,580 a year).
Do chemists make more in Durham than the national average?
No: $81,580 against $91,240 nationally, 11% less.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $82,620, so Durham pays 1% less.
Where does Durham rank for chemist pay?
135 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $63,260 or less a year; the top 10% make $137,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.