How much does a life scientist make in Durham?
$105,900a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $50.89 an hour or $8,821 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.89
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 8 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,940Median: $105,900Highest 10%: $174,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,940 | $30.74 | |
| 25th | $81,990 | $39.42 | |
| Median | $105,900 | $50.89 | |
| 75th | $150,200 | $72.21 | |
| 90th | $174,300 | $83.77 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| Charlotte, NC | $105,400 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economist | $152,100 |
| Physical Scientist | $128,400 |
| Sociologist | $126,800 |
| Materials Scientist | $123,100 |
| Geoscientist | $99,560 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,700 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $98,490 |
| Medical Scientist | $96,430 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $93,420 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $87,650 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life scientist make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $50.89 ($105,900 a year).
Do life scientists make more in Durham than the national average?
Yes: $105,900 against $93,750 nationally, 13% more.
Where does Durham rank for life scientist pay?
8 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $63,940 or less a year; the top 10% make $174,300 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.