Business & Finance Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Human Resources Manager Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median human resources manager salary in Durham, NC is $127,400 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 3.2% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$127,400
vs State Avg
+$3,900
vs National
$-2,600
Cost of Living
95%

Human Resources Manager Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median human resources manager salary of $127,400, which is $3,900 above the North Carolina state average of $123,500. Compared to the national median of $130,000, 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 human resources managers in Durham spans from $76,636 at the 10th percentile to $203,840 at the 90th percentile — a $127,204 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,700, while senior human resources managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,700. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Human Resources Manager Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level human resources manager earns around $63,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,700
$-1,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,900
$-2,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$161,700
$-3,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $76,636
25th Percentile $98,980
Median (50th) $127,400
75th Percentile $163,660
90th Percentile $203,840

Human Resources Manager Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$131,300
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$131,300
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$118,300
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$115,700
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Human Resources Manager in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Talent AcquisitionEmployee RelationsHRIS SystemsComplianceBenefits AdministrationLeadership

Job Outlook

Nationally, human resources manager employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Human Resources Manager Jobs in Durham

Browse open human resources manager positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Human Resources Manager Salary in Durham

How much does a Human Resources Manager make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median human resources manager salary in Durham, North Carolina is $127,400 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $130,000. Salaries range from $76,636 (10th percentile) to $203,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Human Resources Manager make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $127,400, a human resources manager in Durham earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for human resources manager pay? ▼
Durham's median human resources manager salary of $127,400 is 3.2% above the North Carolina state average of $123,500. 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 human resources manager salary of $127,400 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a human resources manager in Durham? ▼
Most human resources manager positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, HRIS Systems, Compliance. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.