Engineering Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Environmental Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median environmental engineer salary in Durham, NC is $91,979 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$91,979
vs State Avg
+$2,905
vs National
$-4,841
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median environmental engineer salary of $91,979, which is $2,905 above the North Carolina state average of $89,074. Compared to the national median of $96,820, 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 environmental engineers in Durham spans from $57,950 at the 10th percentile to $140,600 at the 90th percentile — a $82,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,800, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $134,900. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $60,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $134,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,800
$-3,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,100
$-4,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$134,900
$-7,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $57,950
25th Percentile $72,200
Median (50th) $91,979
75th Percentile $115,900
90th Percentile $140,600

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$94,884
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$94,884
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$85,202
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$83,265
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $91,979 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $57,950 (10th percentile) to $140,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,979, a environmental engineer in Durham earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median environmental engineer salary of $91,979 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $89,074. 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 environmental engineer salary of $91,979 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Durham? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.