What this means Our calculation
11 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $75,430. Prices run 2% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.4%) and the population is growing faster than most (+7.5% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Durham Government data
All 28 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $75,430 | -2% | $77,307 | 1,270 | #240 |
| Building Inspector | $73,590 | +9% | $75,421 | 310 | #118 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $71,400 | -26% | $73,177 | 230 | #243 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $66,430 | +7% | $68,083 | 140 | #109 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $63,140 | -1% | $64,711 | 540 | #218 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $60,540 | +0% | $62,046 | 370 | #185 |
| Plumber | $60,110 | -2% | $61,606 | 620 | #223 |
| Electrician | $59,220 | -5% | $60,694 | 1,160 | #260 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,180 | -1% | $60,653 | 750 | #208 |
| Ironworker | $57,810 | -10% | $59,249 | 100 | #110 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $56,120 | +10% | $57,517 | 50 | #51 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $54,800 | +10% | $56,164 | 90 | #59 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $52,440 | +1% | $53,745 | 160 | #172 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,580 | +6% | $52,864 | 1,090 | #130 |
| Carpenter | $51,540 | -8% | $52,823 | 520 | #231 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $50,820 | -15% | $52,085 | 480 | #266 |
| Machinist | $50,740 | -11% | $52,003 | 220 | #274 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $49,850 | +3% | $51,090 | 50 | #52 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $49,800 | -25% | $51,039 | 70 | #216 |
| Welder | $49,280 | -6% | $50,506 | 290 | #274 |
| Maintenance Technician | $49,130 | +2% | $50,353 | 2,830 | #160 |
| Glazier | $47,270 | -14% | $48,446 | 70 | #127 |
| Pest Control Technician | $46,720 | +5% | $47,883 | 210 | #54 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,560 | -1% | $47,719 | 1,120 | #201 |
| Painter | $46,520 | -2% | $47,678 | 260 | #226 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $46,240 | -25% | $47,391 | 80 | #248 |
| Concrete Finisher | $44,420 | -22% | $45,525 | 140 | #309 |
| Landscaper | $38,610 | +3% | $39,571 | 1,710 | #140 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Durham
The Durham area has about 282,635 homes. 30% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 23% were built in 2010 or later. 61% of households own their home, and the median home value is $441,300.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Durham Government data
In an average year, Durham has 34 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), 71 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 76 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 86°F and winter nights 32°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Durham 11 W, NC station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Durham area's population grew 7.5% from 2020 to 2025 (582,060 → 625,485), ranking #60 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +35,472) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Durham are roughly flat from 2021 to 2025 (5,900 → 6,100). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Durham area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 12% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 64% drive alone, 3% take transit and 20% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in North Carolina Official source
The main state licensing office in North Carolina is the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical and plumbing/HVAC have their own state boards. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official North Carolina licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 2.5% of wage and salary workers in North Carolina were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#50 of 51 states and D.C.), and 3.1% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in North Carolina.