Expert Data Engineer salary in Durham, NC
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV 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 | $148,782 |
| 25th | $150,891 |
| 50th (median) | $155,230 |
| 75th | $159,962 |
| 90th | $170,096 |
Cost of living
Durham's median expert Data Engineer salary of $155,230 is worth about $159,100 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 $155,230, 9% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | too few | 2 |
| NC Health Affiliates | 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.