Sociologist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Sociologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $126,760 a year ($60.94 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $68,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,140 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $106,030. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $126,760. The average (mean) salary is $129,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,610 | $32.99 |
| 25th percentile | $82,300 | $39.57 |
| Median | $126,760 | $60.94 |
| 75th percentile | $169,950 | $81.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,140 | $102.47 |
| Average (mean) | $129,900 | $62.45 |
Half of sociologists 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 | $10,563.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,281.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,875.38 |
| Weekly | $2,437.69 |
| Hourly | $60.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for sociologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,770 |
| Kentucky | $136,870 |
| North Carolina | $126,760 |
| California | $125,770 |
| Alaska | $108,170 |
| Massachusetts | $106,530 |
| Maryland | $100,660 |
| Washington | $97,170 |
| Michigan | $88,040 |
| Ohio | $78,850 |
See Sociologist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $93,420 | $44.91 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Economist | $152,130 | $73.14 |
| School Psychologist | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
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 19-3041. 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 sociologist make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for sociologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $126,760 a year, or $60.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of sociologists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $213,140 a year. The top 25% earn $169,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,610 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $82,300 or less.