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

Medical Secretary Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, medical secretaries earned a median annual wage of $45,700 ($21.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,100/year and the 90th was $57,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,585 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,700$21.97 per hour · $3,808 monthly
10th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
25th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
75th Percentile$49,100$23.61/hr base
90th Percentile$57,200$27.50/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

$45,700
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,700
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,585After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,132Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,446Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,304 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,315 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,496 / yr

Medical 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 Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,018
25th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,622
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.97/hr$3,808$45,700$37,585
75th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$40,181
90th Percentile$27.50/hr$4,767$57,200$46,367

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,700 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 Ratio54.7%of area median income

Compare medical secretaries salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

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

What is the median salary for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $45,700, which equates to approximately $3,808 per month or $21.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $21.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.50/hour.

What is the pay range for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for medical secretaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $39,200 at the 25th, $49,100 at the 75th, and $57,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical secretaries take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $45,700, an estimated $37,585 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,446 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,115 (an effective rate of 17.8%).

How much do medical secretaries make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $45,700, gross monthly income is $3,808. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,132 per month (or $1,446 every two weeks).

Is $45,700 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $45,700, the median salary for medical secretaries is 54.7% 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.