Natural Sciences Manager Salary in Durham, NC
Natural Sciences Managers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $183,540 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $129,901 take-home, or $10,825 a month.
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Pre-filled with the median natural sciences manager salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$32,784
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,379
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,661
- North Carolina income tax$6,815
- Take-home pay$129,901
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $117,370 | $56.43 | $87,225 | $7,269 |
| 25th percentile | $141,970 | $68.25 | $103,147 | $8,596 |
| Median (50th) | $183,540 | $88.24 | $129,901 | $10,825 |
| 75th percentile | $230,300 | $110.72 | $161,569 | $13,464 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $317,740+ | $152.76 | $214,122 | $17,843 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $183,540 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 natural sciences manager's $129,901 take-home pay has the buying power of $133,134 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 8.5× the national concentration of natural sciences manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for natural sciences managers, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #5 of 33 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $239,200+ | $195,208 | $180,304 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $168,514 | $152,608 |
| 3 | Worcester, MA | $212,600 | $147,797 | $144,160 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $203,150 | $151,247 | $136,095 |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $183,540 | $129,901 | $133,134 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $225,230 | $147,276 | $127,387 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $173,160 | $123,221 | $126,577 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $173,510 | $123,446 | $125,764 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 33 metros →
Natural Sciences Manager salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $173,160
- Raleigh, NC — $173,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in Durham, NC?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $183,540 a year, or about $88.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $141,970 and $230,300.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $183,540 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $129,901 a year ($10,825 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,815 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $133,134 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #5 of 33 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager 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) — 13% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Sales Manager — $190,370
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $176,190
- Marketing Manager — $175,160
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $172,480
- Financial Manager — $165,470
- Human Resources Manager — $160,580
- Managers, All Other — $152,090
- Industrial Production Manager — $137,950
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $133,970
- Construction Manager — $119,980
- Facilities Manager — $118,990
- General and Operations Manager — $113,930