Chemist Salary in Durham, NC
Chemists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $81,580 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,475 take-home, or $5,290 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,118
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,058
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,183
- North Carolina income tax$2,746
- Take-home pay$63,475
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Chemist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,260 | $30.41 | $50,994 | $4,250 |
| 25th percentile | $78,000 | $37.50 | $61,100 | $5,092 |
| Median (50th) | $81,580 | $39.22 | $63,475 | $5,290 |
| 75th percentile | $109,460 | $52.63 | $81,976 | $6,831 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,320 | $66.02 | $100,154 | $8,346 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,580 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 chemist's $63,475 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,055 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 6.2× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #21 of 35 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $144,680 | $100,825 | $92,599 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $127,290 | $92,124 | $85,091 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $106,740 | $83,922 | $85,088 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $118,880 | $87,148 | $83,406 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $96,170 | $74,623 | $78,246 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $127,790 | $89,294 | $77,236 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $94,170 | $73,271 | $76,749 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $105,590 | $79,175 | $75,260 |
| 21 | Durham, NC | $81,580 | $63,475 | $65,055 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Chemist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $88,890
- Raleigh, NC — $84,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Durham, NC?
The median chemist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $81,580 a year, or about $39.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,000 and $109,460.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $81,580 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $63,475 a year ($5,290 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,746 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,055 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #21 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist 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) — 28% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Life Scientists, All Other — $105,850
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $98,700
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $96,430
- Biological Technician — $58,400