Agriculture & Environment Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median agricultural scientist salary in Durham, NC is $70,452 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$70,452
vs State Avg
+$2,225
vs National
$-3,708
Cost of Living
95%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $70,452, which is $2,225 above the North Carolina state average of $68,227. Compared to the national median of $74,160, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Durham spans from $41,800 at the 10th percentile to $115,900 at the 90th percentile — a $74,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,600, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $109,250. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $45,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,600
$-2,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$72,200
$-3,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,250
$-5,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $41,800
25th Percentile $53,200
Median (50th) $70,452
75th Percentile $93,100
90th Percentile $115,900

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$72,677
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$72,677
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$65,261
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$63,778
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Durham

Education

Most agricultural scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Durham

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Durham, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Durham

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Durham, North Carolina is $70,452 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $41,800 (10th percentile) to $115,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $70,452, a agricultural scientist in Durham earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Durham's median agricultural scientist salary of $70,452 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $68,227. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a agricultural scientist salary of $70,452 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Durham? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.