Training and Development Specialist Salary in Durham, NC
Training and Development Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $74,530 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,797 take-home, or $4,900 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median training and development specialist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,567
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,621
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,081
- North Carolina income tax$2,465
- Take-home pay$58,797
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Training and Development Specialist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,560 | $17.58 | $30,606 | $2,550 |
| 25th percentile | $53,900 | $25.91 | $43,847 | $3,654 |
| Median (50th) | $74,530 | $35.83 | $58,797 | $4,900 |
| 75th percentile | $99,330 | $47.75 | $75,254 | $6,271 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,730 | $63.33 | $96,556 | $8,046 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,530 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 training and development specialist's $58,797 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,260 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 1.6× the national concentration of training and development specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for training and development specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #21 of 139 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $104,770 | $75,660 | $68,518 |
| 2 | Augusta, GA | $78,610 | $60,675 | $66,021 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $89,550 | $71,828 | $64,633 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $72,120 | $57,478 | $64,609 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $76,030 | $58,670 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Des Moines, IA | $74,610 | $59,135 | $64,486 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, CT | $88,880 | $68,044 | $63,673 |
| 8 | Huntsville, AL | $76,360 | $58,996 | $63,388 |
| 21 | Durham, NC | $74,530 | $58,797 | $60,260 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 139 metros →
Training and Development Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Fayetteville, NC — $70,750
- Charlotte, NC — $68,480
- Raleigh, NC — $67,560
- Greensboro, NC — $62,740
- Winston, NC — $59,860
- Wilmington, NC — $62,340
- Hickory, NC — $56,300
- Asheville, NC — $59,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a training and development specialist make in Durham, NC?
The median training and development specialist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $74,530 a year, or about $35.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,900 and $99,330.
What is a training and development specialist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $74,530 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $58,797 a year ($4,900 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,465 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a training and development specialist?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $69,280. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,260 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #21 of 139 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a training and development 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) — 30% of a median training and development specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Management Analyst — $126,110
- Project Management Specialist — $104,870
- 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
- Personal Financial Advisor — $63,300