Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Durham-Chapel Hill is 180.
  • Forensic Psychologists in Durham-Chapel Hill earn an average of $72,710 per year or $34.96 per hour.
  • The percentage of North Carolina Forensic Psychologists who work in Durham-Chapel Hill is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Forensic Psychologists who work in Durham-Chapel Hill is 1%.

Rankings for Durham-Chapel Hill

  • Ranks #3 in North Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in North Carolina for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #70 in the nation for salary and #205 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #15 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to North Carolina

Durham-Chapel Hill Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $72,710 or $34.96 per hour which is 16% less than the North Carolina average salary of $87,210.

AverageDurham-Chapel HillNorth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$34.96$41.93-16.62%
Annual Salary$72,710$87,210-16.63%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Durham-Chapel Hill Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $72,710 or $34.96 per hour which is 25% less than the U.S. average salary of $98,010.

AverageDurham-Chapel HillU.S.%
Hourly Wage$34.96$47.12-25.81%
Annual Salary$72,710$98,010-25.81%
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, Forensic Psychologists in Durham-Chapel Hill earns an average annual salary of $77,491 which compares to the North Carolina average annual salary of $87,210. 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 $87,210.
  • North Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $94,959.
  • Durham-Chapel Hill average salary is $72,710.
  • Durham-Chapel Hill cost-of-living adjusted salary is $77,491.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Durham-Chapel Hill$72,71093.83%$77,491
North Carolina$87,21091.84%$94,959
U.S.$98,010$98,010
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 Forensic Psychologists earn between $47,830 and $98,680 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn more than $114,900, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Forensic Psychologists.

Approximately 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn under $37,470, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Forensic Psychologists.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year18Under $37,470
15%2 – 4 years27$37,470 – $47,830
25%5 – 9 years45$47,830 – $61,070
25%10 – 14 years45$61,070 – $98,680
15%15 – 20 years27$61,070 – $114,900
10%20+ years18Above $114,900
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 $72,710, Durham-Chapel Hill Forensic Psychologists tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($102,000).

However, Forensic Psychologists tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($48,650), Substance Abuse Counselors ($54,930), Social Workers ($60,400), School Psychologists ($66,520), and Health Care Social Workers ($66,560).

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 Forensic Psychologists

The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Durham-Chapel Hill is 180.

Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $72,710 per year or $34.96 per hour in Durham-Chapel Hill.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Durham-Chapel Hill Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $77,491 per year or $37 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 Forensic Psychologists in North Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Forensic Psychologists: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data