EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025

Civil Engineer Salary
in Durham, NC

Design and oversee construction of infrastructure including roads, bridges, and buildings. Median salary in Durham: $95K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$95K
per year
Take-home: $62K

Salary range in Durham

Entry level (25th)$71,000
Median (50th)$95,000
Senior (75th)$124,000
Top earner (90th)$158,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Durham, North Carolina.

Key facts for Durham

Median salary
$95K
annual
Take-home pay
$62K
after fed/state tax
COL index
100
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.75%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$1,500
per month
YoY growth
+3.4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Durham Civil Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $114K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Durham

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Civil Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$80K$89K$97K$106K$114K201920212023202520272029
2026
$99K
projected
2027
$102K
projected
2028
$106K
projected
2029
$110K
projected
2030
$114K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$102,000+$7,000
2028 projected$106,000+$11,000
2029 projected$110,000+$15,000
2030 projected$114,000+$19,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Civil Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Civil Engineer salary in Durham, NC is $95,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Durham–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Civil Engineer in Durham

Entry-level Civil Engineers in Durham with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $71,000 and $95,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $95,000 to $124,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $124,000 to $158,000 or more.

Cost of living in Durham for Civil Engineers

Durham has a cost of living index of 100 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Durham are close to the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Civil Engineer

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering; PE license. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Civil Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Durham (current)$95K100
Charlotte100
Raleigh102
Greensboro88
Winston-Salem85
Fayetteville82