Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist Salary in Durham, NC
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $93,110 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $71,127 take-home, or $5,927 a month.
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Pre-filled with the median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,654
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,773
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,350
- North Carolina income tax$3,206
- Take-home pay$71,127
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,080 | $24.08 | $40,930 | $3,411 |
| 25th percentile | $62,400 | $30.00 | $50,337 | $4,195 |
| Median (50th) | $93,110 | $44.76 | $71,127 | $5,927 |
| 75th percentile | $138,530 | $66.60 | $100,933 | $8,411 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,870 | $86.00 | $126,895 | $10,575 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $93,110 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median market research analyst and marketing specialist's $71,127 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,896 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.4× the national concentration of market research analyst and marketing specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for market research analysts and marketing specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #3 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $141,960 | $97,477 | $88,276 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $123,250 | $86,672 | $74,968 |
| 3 | Durham, NC | $93,110 | $71,127 | $72,896 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $102,170 | $80,707 | $72,622 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $99,040 | $74,855 | $70,764 |
| 6 | Fayetteville, AR | $83,000 | $64,196 | $70,273 |
| 7 | Boulder, CO | $97,600 | $73,906 | $70,251 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $102,390 | $75,962 | $70,162 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: market research analysts and marketing specialists
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $82,930
- Raleigh, NC — $78,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make in Durham, NC?
The median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $93,110 a year, or about $44.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,400 and $138,530.
What is a market research analyst and marketing specialist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $93,110 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $71,127 a year ($5,927 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,206 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a market research analyst and marketing specialist?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $78,760. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,896 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #3 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a market research analyst and marketing specialist afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median market research analyst and marketing specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Human Resources Specialist — $81,100