Computer Programmer Salary in Durham, NC
Computer Programmers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $105,160 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,123 take-home, or $6,594 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer programmer salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,305
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,520
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,525
- North Carolina income tax$3,687
- Take-home pay$79,123
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Computer Programmer pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,770 | $32.58 | $54,311 | $4,526 |
| 25th percentile | $83,040 | $39.92 | $64,444 | $5,370 |
| Median (50th) | $105,160 | $50.56 | $79,123 | $6,594 |
| 75th percentile | $128,240 | $61.65 | $94,310 | $7,859 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,830 | $65.78 | $99,839 | $8,320 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,160 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 computer programmer's $79,123 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,092 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 2.2× the national concentration of computer programmer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer programmers, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #11 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | $99,698 | $109,135 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $141,920 | $101,903 | $99,180 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $154,920 | $104,962 | $95,054 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $128,900 | $93,144 | $86,033 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $134,130 | $92,956 | $83,080 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | $76,619 | $82,793 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | $85,342 | $81,416 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $105,160 | $79,123 | $81,092 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Computer Programmer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $84,720
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Durham, NC?
The median computer programmer salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $105,160 a year, or about $50.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,040 and $128,240.
What is a computer programmer’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $105,160 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $79,123 a year ($6,594 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,687 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a computer programmer?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $100,390. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,092 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #11 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer programmer 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) — 22% of a median computer programmer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Computer Network Architect — $144,990
- Database Architect — $141,770
- Software Developer — $135,620
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $133,340
- Information Security Analyst — $129,670
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $126,300
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $122,980
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $110,640
- Data Scientist — $106,500
- Computer Systems Analyst — $106,410
- Statistician — $103,290
- Computer Network Support Specialist — $81,090