Technology Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Software Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median software engineer salary in Durham, NC is $122,958 per year, which is 1% below the national median and 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$122,958
vs State Avg
+$3,726
vs National
$-1,242
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median software engineer salary of $122,958, which is $3,726 above the North Carolina state average of $119,232. Compared to the national median of $124,200, 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 software engineers in Durham spans from $73,854 at the 10th percentile to $196,594 at the 90th percentile — a $122,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,220, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $183,150. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level software engineer earns around $77,220, while experienced professionals earn up to $183,150 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,220
$-780 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,750
$-1,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$183,150
$-1,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $73,854
25th Percentile $97,218
Median (50th) $122,958
75th Percentile $156,618
90th Percentile $196,594

Software Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$126,684
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$126,684
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$114,264
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$111,780
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Software Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open software engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Software Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $122,958 per year, which is 1% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $73,854 (10th percentile) to $196,594 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,958, a software engineer 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 software engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median software engineer salary of $122,958 is 3.1% above the North Carolina state average of $119,232. 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 software engineer salary of $122,958 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Durham? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.