Media & Communications Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Social Media Manager Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median social media manager salary in Durham, NC is $61,750 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$61,750
vs State Avg
+$1,950
vs National
$-3,250
Cost of Living
95%

Social Media Manager Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median social media manager salary of $61,750, which is $1,950 above the North Carolina state average of $59,800. Compared to the national median of $65,000, 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 social media managers in Durham spans from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $109,250 at the 90th percentile — a $73,150 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,000, while senior social media managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $102,600. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Social Media Manager Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level social media manager earns around $38,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $102,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
$-2,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,650
$-3,350 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$102,600
$-5,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $36,100
25th Percentile $47,500
Median (50th) $61,750
75th Percentile $83,600
90th Percentile $109,250

Social Media Manager Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$63,700
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$63,700
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$57,200
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$55,900
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Social Media Manager in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

Content CreationAnalyticsPlatform ManagementCopywritingCommunity ManagementPaid Social

Job Outlook

Nationally, social media manager employment is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Social Media Manager Jobs in Durham

Browse open social media manager positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Social Media Manager Salary in Durham

How much does a Social Media Manager make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median social media manager salary in Durham, North Carolina is $61,750 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $65,000. Salaries range from $36,100 (10th percentile) to $109,250 (90th percentile).
How much does a Social Media Manager make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,750, a social media manager in Durham earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for social media manager pay? ▼
Durham's median social media manager salary of $61,750 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $59,800. 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 social media manager salary of $61,750 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a social media manager in Durham? ▼
Most social media manager positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Content Creation, Analytics, Platform Management, Copywriting. The job market is projected to grow 10% nationally over the next decade.