How much does a physical scientist make in Durham?
$128,400a year
Median yearly pay for physical scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $61.72 an hour or $10,700 a month.
- Hourly
- $61.72
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 29 of 68
- Jobs in the area
- 370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $82,350Median: $128,400Highest 10%: $183,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,350 | $39.59 | |
| 25th | $105,500 | $50.71 | |
| Median | $128,400 | $61.72 | |
| 75th | $156,000 | $75.02 | |
| 90th | $183,500 | $88.24 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for physical scientists.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $117,600 |
| Asheville, NC | $100,700 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economist | $152,100 |
| 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 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $87,650 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical scientist make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $61.72 ($128,400 a year).
Do physical scientists make more in Durham than the national average?
Yes: $128,400 against $122,600 nationally, 5% more.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $110,000, so Durham pays 17% more.
Where does Durham rank for physical scientist pay?
29 of 68 metro areas with data.
How much does a physical scientist make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $82,350 or less a year; the top 10% make $183,500 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.