Project Management Specialist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Project Management Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $104,870 a year ($50.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,210 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $100,820. There are 9.3 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| 25th percentile | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| Median | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| 75th percentile | $136,370 | $65.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,210 | $80.87 |
| Average (mean) | $115,430 | $55.49 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $8,739.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,369.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,033.46 |
| Weekly | $2,016.73 |
| Hourly | $50.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $105,200 | 11,570 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $104,920 | 6,040 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $102,280 | 7,930 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,690 | 2,080 |
| Asheville, NC | $97,470 | 950 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,280 | 210 |
| Greenville, NC | $94,540 | 470 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $91,010 | 290 |
| Wilmington, NC | $89,120 | 1,220 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $88,780 | 160 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $85,490 | 490 |
| Burlington, NC | $83,370 | 250 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $82,680 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $79,560 | 1,530 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $79,240 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,110 | $44.76 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| Management Analyst | $126,110 | $60.63 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Logistician | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Fundraiser | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,090 | $40.91 |
More: Business and Financial Operations 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 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for project management specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $104,870 a year, or $50.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $168,210 a year. The top 25% earn $136,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,000 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $81,280 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 3,180 project management specialists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.