Epidemiologist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Epidemiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $82,990 a year ($39.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,120 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $87,220. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $84,770. There are 0.20 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for epidemiologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,970 | $31.23 |
| 25th percentile | $64,970 | $31.23 |
| Median | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| 75th percentile | $155,850 | $74.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,120 | $87.08 |
| Average (mean) | $105,600 | $50.77 |
Half of epidemiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,191.92 |
| Weekly | $1,595.96 |
| Hourly | $39.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Epidemiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,770 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $68,100 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
See Epidemiologist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a epidemiologist make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for epidemiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $82,990 a year, or $39.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $181,120 a year. The top 25% earn $155,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,970 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $64,970 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 70 epidemiologists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.