Engineering Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Industrial Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median industrial engineer salary in Durham, NC is $90,535 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$90,535
vs State Avg
+$2,859
vs National
$-4,765
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median industrial engineer salary of $90,535, which is $2,859 above the North Carolina state average of $87,676. Compared to the national median of $95,300, 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 industrial 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 industrial 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.

Industrial Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level industrial 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)
$91,200
$-4,800 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) $90,535
75th Percentile $114,000
90th Percentile $140,600

Industrial Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$93,394
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$93,394
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$83,864
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$81,958
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Industrial Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaProcess OptimizationAutoCADStatistical AnalysisOperations Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, industrial engineer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Industrial Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open industrial engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Industrial Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Industrial Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median industrial engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $90,535 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $95,300. Salaries range from $57,950 (10th percentile) to $140,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $90,535, a industrial 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 industrial engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median industrial engineer salary of $90,535 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $87,676. 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 industrial engineer salary of $90,535 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a industrial engineer in Durham? ▼
Most industrial engineer positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, AutoCAD. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.