Data Engineer salary in Durham, NC
Based on 42 certified H-1B filings in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Morrisville, Research Triangle Park, Mebane, Chapel Hill.
Also listed as: Database Architect, Data Architect
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $114,966 |
| 25th | $127,375 |
| 50th (median) | $135,250 |
| 75th | $154,474 |
| 90th | $159,992 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2021 | $110,926 | $90,574 | $123,000 | 11 |
| FY2022 | $122,346 | $99,112 | $145,000 | 21 |
| FY2023 | $130,915 | $121,384 | $151,070 | 24 |
| FY2024 | $125,070 | $110,450 | $133,265 | 20 |
| FY2025 | $148,391 | $126,491 | $155,031 | 28 |
| FY2026 | $135,150 | $135,096 | $135,250 | 14 |
Cost of living
Durham's median Data Engineer salary of $135,250 is worth about $138,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Durham = 97.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Database Architects in the Durham, NC area earned a median of $141,770 in May 2025 (560 employed). The H-1B median here is $135,250, 5% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Compunnel Software Group | too few | 6 |
| Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | too few | 4 |
| NC Health Affiliates | too few | 3 |
| Deloitte | too few | 2 |
| Fidelity Investments | too few | 2 |
| Ken Systems | too few | 2 |
| Syngenta Crop Protection | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $122,400 | 13 |
| Senior · Level III | $135,150 | 12 |
| Expert · Level IV | $155,230 | 15 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $104,146 | $122,400 | 13 |
| Senior · Level III | $135,096 | $135,150 | 12 |
| Expert · Level IV | $148,782 | $155,230 | 15 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.