Project Management Specialist Salary in Durham, NC
Project Management Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $104,870 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,930 take-home, or $6,578 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,241
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,502
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,521
- North Carolina income tax$3,676
- Take-home pay$78,930
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,000 | $31.73 | $53,086 | $4,424 |
| 25th percentile | $81,280 | $39.08 | $63,276 | $5,273 |
| Median (50th) | $104,870 | $50.42 | $78,930 | $6,578 |
| 75th percentile | $136,370 | $65.56 | $99,542 | $8,295 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,210 | $80.87 | $120,035 | $10,003 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,870 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 project management specialist's $78,930 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,895 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 project management specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #38 of 209 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $123,730 | $89,856 | $98,492 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | $97,346 | $97,269 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 4 | Huntsville, AL | $112,130 | $82,372 | $88,503 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $100,470 | $79,511 | $88,300 |
| 6 | Davenport, IA | $102,880 | $77,948 | $87,505 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $106,270 | $77,888 | $85,760 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 38 | Durham, NC | $104,870 | $78,930 | $80,895 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 209 metros →
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Greenville, NC — $94,540
- Charlotte, NC — $105,200
- Greensboro, NC — $99,690
- Raleigh, NC — $102,280
- Asheville, NC — $97,470
- Hickory, NC — $85,490
- Wilmington, NC — $89,120
- Fayetteville, NC — $82,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Durham, NC?
The median project management specialist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $104,870 a year, or about $50.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,280 and $136,370.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $104,870 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $78,930 a year ($6,578 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,676 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,895 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #38 of 209 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management 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) — 22% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Management Analyst — $126,110
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $102,140
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $95,460
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $93,110
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,090
- Logistician — $84,300
- Compliance Officer — $83,780
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $83,650
- Human Resources Specialist — $81,100
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $79,620
- Training and Development Specialist — $74,530
- Personal Financial Advisor — $63,300