Environmental Scientist salary in Durham, NC
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Chapel Hill.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $71,864 |
| 25th | $72,821 |
| 50th (median) | $78,625 |
| 75th | $83,954 |
| 90th | $88,097 |
Cost of living
Durham's median Environmental Scientist salary of $78,625 is worth about $80,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Durham = 97.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Durham, NC area earned a median of $82,840 in May 2025 (430 employed). The H-1B median here is $78,625, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | too few | 5 |
| The Nature Conservancy | too few | 3 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 3 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.