Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Durham-Chapel Hill is 800.
  • Social Workers in Durham-Chapel Hill earn an average of $60,400 per year or $29.04 per hour.
  • The percentage of North Carolina Social Workers who work in Durham-Chapel Hill is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Durham-Chapel Hill is less than 1%.

Rankings for Durham-Chapel Hill

  • Ranks #1 in North Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #5 in North Carolina for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #45 in the nation for salary and #205 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #78 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to North Carolina

Durham-Chapel Hill Social Workers earn an average of $60,400 or $29.04 per hour which is 18% more than the North Carolina average salary of $51,060.

AverageDurham-Chapel HillNorth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$29.04$24.5518.29%
Annual Salary$60,400$51,06018.29%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Durham-Chapel Hill Social Workers earn an average of $60,400 or $29.04 per hour which is 10% more than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageDurham-Chapel HillU.S.%
Hourly Wage$29.04$26.3910.04%
Annual Salary$60,400$54,88010.06%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Durham-Chapel Hill earns an average annual salary of $64,372 which compares to the North Carolina average annual salary of $51,060. per year.

Cost-of-living in Durham-Chapel Hill is 6% less than the North Carolina average, which means Durham-Chapel Hill residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to North Carolina average.

  • North Carolina average salary is $51,060.
  • North Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $55,597.
  • Durham-Chapel Hill average salary is $60,400.
  • Durham-Chapel Hill cost-of-living adjusted salary is $64,372.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Durham-Chapel Hill$60,40093.83%$64,372
North Carolina$51,06091.84%$55,597
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Durham-Chapel Hill, 50% of Social Workers earn between $47,310 and $78,360 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $98,650, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $37,700, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year80Under $37,700
15%2 – 4 years120$37,700 – $47,310
25%5 – 9 years200$47,310 – $59,420
25%10 – 14 years200$59,420 – $78,360
15%15 – 20 years120$59,420 – $98,650
10%20+ years80Above $98,650
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $60,400, Durham-Chapel Hill Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($102,000), Forensic Psychologists ($72,710), Health Care Social Workers ($66,560), and School Psychologists ($66,520).

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($48,650), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($54,930).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$102,000
Forensic Psychologists$72,710
Health Care Social Workers$66,560
School Psychologists$66,520
Social Workers$60,400
Substance Abuse Counselors$54,930
Marriage and Family Therapists$48,650
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Durham-Chapel Hill Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Durham-Chapel Hill is 800.

Social Workers earn an average of $60,400 per year or $29.04 per hour in Durham-Chapel Hill.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Durham-Chapel Hill Social Workers earn an average of $64,372 per year or $31 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Durham-Chapel Hill are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($102,000), Forensic Psychologists($72,710), Health Care Social Workers($66,560).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in North Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data