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

Auto Mechanic Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $49,900 ($23.99/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $32,600/year and the 90th was $82,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,792 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$49,900$23.99 per hour · $4,158 monthly
10th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
25th Percentile$37,900$18.22/hr base
75th Percentile$65,300$31.39/hr base
90th Percentile$82,300$39.57/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

$49,900
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,900
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,792After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,399Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,569Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,808 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,482 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,817 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$27,582
25th Percentile$18.22/hr$3,158$37,900$31,629
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.99/hr$4,158$49,900$40,792
75th Percentile$31.39/hr$5,442$65,300$52,552
90th Percentile$39.57/hr$6,858$82,300$63,953

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$49,900 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 Ratio59.8%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $49,900, which equates to approximately $4,158 per month or $23.99 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $23.99 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.67/hour and one in ten earned more than $39.57/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $32,600 at the 10th percentile to $37,900 at the 25th, $65,300 at the 75th, and $82,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $49,900, an estimated $40,792 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,569 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,108 (an effective rate of 18.3%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $49,900, gross monthly income is $4,158. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,399 per month (or $1,569 every two weeks).

Is $49,900 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $49,900, the median salary for auto mechanics is 59.8% 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.