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

Laborer or Material Mover Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, laborers or material movers earned a median annual wage of $39,500 ($18.99/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,000/year and the 90th was $49,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,851 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,500$18.99 per hour · $3,292 monthly
10th Percentile$31,000$14.90/hr base
25th Percentile$36,200$17.40/hr base
75th Percentile$46,000$22.12/hr base
90th Percentile$49,200$23.65/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

$39,500
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,851After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,738Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,264Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,560 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,067 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,022 / yr

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 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 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$14.90/hr$2,583$31,000$26,360
25th Percentile$17.40/hr$3,017$36,200$30,331
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.99/hr$3,292$39,500$32,851
75th Percentile$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$37,814
90th Percentile$23.65/hr$4,100$49,200$40,258

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,500 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 Ratio47.3%of area median income

Compare laborers or material movers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $39,500, which equates to approximately $3,292 per month or $18.99 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $18.99 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.90/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.65/hour.

What is the pay range for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for laborers or material movers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $31,000 at the 10th percentile to $36,200 at the 25th, $46,000 at the 75th, and $49,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do laborers or material movers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $39,500, an estimated $32,851 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,264 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,649 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do laborers or material movers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $39,500, gross monthly income is $3,292. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,738 per month (or $1,264 every two weeks).

Is $39,500 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $39,500, the median salary for laborers or material movers is 47.3% 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.