Data Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina
The median data engineer salary in Durham, NC is $123,750 per year, which is 1% below the national median and 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Data Engineer Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)
Durham offers a median data engineer salary of $123,750, which is $3,750 above the North Carolina state average of $120,000. Compared to the national median of $125,000, 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 data engineers in Durham spans from $77,220 at the 10th percentile to $188,100 at the 90th percentile — a $110,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,200, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $178,200. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.
Data Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience
In Durham, an entry-level data engineer earns around $79,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $178,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Durham |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $77,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,000 |
| Median (50th) | $123,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $188,100 |
Data Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities
How to Become a Data Engineer in Durham
Education
Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.
Key Skills
Job Outlook
Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.
Find Data Engineer Jobs in Durham
Browse open data engineer positions in Durham, NC: