Business & Finance Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Financial Controller Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median financial controller salary in Durham, NC is $122,500 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 3.2% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$122,500
vs State Avg
+$3,750
vs National
$-2,500
Cost of Living
95%

Financial Controller Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median financial controller salary of $122,500, which is $3,750 above the North Carolina state average of $118,750. 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 financial controllers in Durham spans from $76,440 at the 10th percentile to $194,040 at the 90th percentile — a $117,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,360, while senior financial controllers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $186,200. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Financial Controller Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level financial controller earns around $80,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $186,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,360
$-1,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,440
$-2,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$186,200
$-3,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $76,440
25th Percentile $96,040
Median (50th) $122,500
75th Percentile $158,760
90th Percentile $194,040

Financial Controller Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$126,250
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$126,250
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$113,750
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$111,250
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Financial Controller in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Financial ReportingGAAPERP SystemsBudgetingTeam LeadershipTax Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, financial controller 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 Financial Controller Jobs in Durham

Browse open financial controller positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Controller Salary in Durham

How much does a Financial Controller make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median financial controller salary in Durham, North Carolina is $122,500 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $76,440 (10th percentile) to $194,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Financial Controller make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,500, a financial controller in Durham earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for financial controller pay? ▼
Durham's median financial controller salary of $122,500 is 3.2% above the North Carolina state average of $118,750. 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 financial controller salary of $122,500 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a financial controller in Durham? ▼
Most financial controller positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Financial Reporting, GAAP, ERP Systems, Budgeting. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.