Home / City Job Salaries / Data Engineer in Durham

Data Engineer Salary in Durham, NC

How much does a data engineer make in Durham? Explore median, entry-level, and senior salaries adjusted for Durham's cost of living.

Median Salary
$130,560
per year in Durham
Entry Level
$82,895
Starting salary
Senior Level
$176,152
Experienced professionals
Cost of Living
112
12% above national avg

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

See how data engineer salaries break down across different pay periods in Durham.

PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$82,895$130,560$176,152
Monthly$6,908$10,880$14,679
Biweekly$3,188$5,022$6,775
Weekly$1,594$2,511$3,388
Hourly$40$63$85

Durham vs National Average

How Durham's data engineer salaries compare to national figures.

Durham Salary
$130,560
COL Index: 112
National Average
$106,250
COL Index: 100
Difference
+$24,310
Higher in Durham

Cost of Living in Durham

1-Bedroom Rent
$1,650
per month
Median Income
$62,345
per year
Population
278,884
residents
Rent % of Income
31.8%
median household
Cost of Living Index: 112 — A score of 100 represents the U.S. average. Salaries in Durham have been adjusted to account for local cost differences.

About Data Engineer

Overview

Build and optimize data pipelines and infrastructure for data processing.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Key Skills

SparkHadoopETLPythonDatabase Design

Growth Rate

Expected job growth: +26% over the next decade

Compare Cities: Data Engineer Salary

See Data Engineer salaries in other top cities.

New York, NY
$137,290
+5%
Los Angeles, CA
$145,300
+11%
Chicago, IL
$134,900
+3%
Houston, TX
$128,650
-1%
Phoenix, AZ
$132,410
+1%

Financial Tools to Explore

Use these Pulsafi calculators to understand your finances based on a data engineer salary in Durham.

Salary Breakdown Calculator

See exactly how your salary breaks down into taxes and take-home pay.

Cost of Living Calculator

Understand your expenses and purchasing power in Durham.

Budget Calculator

Create a personalized budget based on your income and expenses.

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the true costs of renting versus buying in Durham.

Data Engineer Salary in Durham, NC — Complete Guide

Median Salary Overview

The median salary for a data engineer in Durham, NC is $130,560 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 112. This figure reflects typical earnings for experienced professionals in this role, considering Durham's unique economic conditions.

Salary Range and Experience Levels

Entry-level data engineer professionals in Durham can expect to earn around $82,895 annually. As professionals gain experience, salaries typically increase, with senior-level data engineers earning approximately $176,152 per year. This represents a 113% increase from entry to senior level.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Durham's cost of living index of 112 significantly impacts salary comparisons. As a higher cost-of-living city, salaries in Durham are adjusted accordingly. This means that while the nominal salary may appear higher or lower than the national average of $106,250, the actual purchasing power must be considered in context.

Housing and Affordability

A significant portion of a data engineer's salary in Durham typically goes toward housing. With a 1-bedroom apartment averaging $1,650 per month, housing represents about 15.2% of median salary. Financial experts generally recommend keeping housing expenses below 30% of gross income.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Data Engineers are in growing demand across the United States, with an expected job growth of 26% over the next decade. In Durham, this translates to increasing opportunities and potential for salary growth as demand for experienced professionals continues to rise.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024Metro-level wage data for this occupation and area
Data source: Salary data on this page are sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program May 2024 estimates. Figures are approximate and intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and local market conditions. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. For the most current wage data, visit bls.gov.