Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Administrative Assistant Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, administrative assistants earned a median annual wage of $47,400 ($22.79/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,800/year and the 90th was $63,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,883 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,400$22.79 per hour · $3,950 monthly
10th Percentile$32,800$15.77/hr base
25th Percentile$39,400$18.94/hr base
75th Percentile$53,700$25.82/hr base
90th Percentile$63,900$30.72/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$47,400
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,400
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,883After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,240Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,496Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,508 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,383 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,626 / yr

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$15.77/hr$2,733$32,800$27,735
25th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,775
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$38,883
75th Percentile$25.82/hr$4,475$53,700$43,694
90th Percentile$30.72/hr$5,325$63,900$51,483

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$47,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.8%of area median income

Compare administrative assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $47,400, which equates to approximately $3,950 per month or $22.79 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $22.79 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.77/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.72/hour.

What is the pay range for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for administrative assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $32,800 at the 10th percentile to $39,400 at the 25th, $53,700 at the 75th, and $63,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do administrative assistants take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $47,400, an estimated $38,883 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,496 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,517 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do administrative assistants make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $47,400, gross monthly income is $3,950. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,240 per month (or $1,496 every two weeks).

Is $47,400 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $47,400, the median salary for administrative assistants is 56.8% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.