Engineering Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Chemical Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median chemical engineer salary in Durham, NC is $100,947 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$100,947
vs State Avg
+$3,188
vs National
$-5,313
Cost of Living
95%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median chemical engineer salary of $100,947, which is $3,188 above the North Carolina state average of $97,759. Compared to the national median of $106,260, 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 chemical engineers in Durham spans from $64,600 at the 10th percentile to $163,400 at the 90th percentile — a $98,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,500, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,900. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $66,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,500
$-3,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,600
$-5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$153,900
$-8,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $64,600
25th Percentile $79,800
Median (50th) $100,947
75th Percentile $131,100
90th Percentile $163,400

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$104,135
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$104,135
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$93,509
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$91,384
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $100,947 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $64,600 (10th percentile) to $163,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,947, a chemical engineer in Durham earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median chemical engineer salary of $100,947 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $97,759. 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 chemical engineer salary of $100,947 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Durham? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.