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

High School Teacher Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, high school teachers earned a median annual wage of $59,600 ($28.65/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $47,000/year and the 90th was $66,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $48,199 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$59,600$28.65 per hour · $4,967 monthly
10th Percentile$47,000$22.60/hr base
25th Percentile$49,400$23.75/hr base
75th Percentile$62,800$30.19/hr base
90th Percentile$66,700$32.07/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

$59,600
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$59,600
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,199After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,017Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,854Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,972 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,869 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,559 / yr

Secondary School Teachers 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 Secondary School Teachers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$22.60/hr$3,917$47,000$38,578
25th Percentile$23.75/hr$4,117$49,400$40,411
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$28.65/hr$4,967$59,600$48,199
75th Percentile$30.19/hr$5,233$62,800$50,643
90th Percentile$32.07/hr$5,558$66,700$53,601

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$59,600 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 Ratio71.4%of area median income

Compare high school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School Teachers Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $59,600, which equates to approximately $4,967 per month or $28.65 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $28.65 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $22.60/hour and one in ten earned more than $32.07/hour.

What is the pay range for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for high school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $47,000 at the 10th percentile to $49,400 at the 25th, $62,800 at the 75th, and $66,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do high school teachers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $59,600, an estimated $48,199 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,854 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $11,401 (an effective rate of 19.1%).

How much do high school teachers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $59,600, gross monthly income is $4,967. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,017 per month (or $1,854 every two weeks).

Is $59,600 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $59,600, the median salary for high school teachers is 71.4% 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.