Dialysis Technician Salary

Burlington vs Durham: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Burlington, NC and Durham, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$40,699
$19.56/hr
Durham, NC
$49,215
$23.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCDurham, NC
Median Salary$40,699$49,215
Hourly Rate$19.56$23.66
Entry Level (P10)$31,606$38,031
25th Percentile$34,588$42,186
75th Percentile$44,105$72,295
Top Earner (P90)$53,432$86,417
Total Employed90670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($40,699) and Durham ($49,215) dialysis technician salaries.BurlingtonDurhamMedian Salary$40,699$49,215Entry Level (P10)$31,606$38,031Top Earner (P90)$53,432$86,417US Median $45,322

Verdict

Durham, NC offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Durham is $8,516 (20.92%). Durham's median is +8.59% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $21,826,Durham spans $48,386. Durham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dialysis technicians.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$31,606
P25$34,588
Median$40,699
P75$44,105
P90 (Top)$53,432
Durham
P10 (Entry)$38,031
P25$42,186
Median$49,215
P75$72,295
P90 (Top)$86,417

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durham ($50,440 effective) pays 15.50% more than Burlington ($43,670 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $40,699
CoL Index: 93.196
Adjusted: $43,670
Durham
Nominal: $49,215
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $50,440

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Durham if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,215/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,417)
  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,440)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Burlington grew 8.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 6.2% growth in Durham over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+8.7%

$36,560 (2021) → $39,741 (2025)

Durham, NC

+6.2%

$45,260 (2021) → $48,057 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Burlington or Durham?

Durham has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $49,215/year, compared to Burlington at $40,699/year — a difference of $8,516 (20.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Durham?

Burlington dialysis technicians earn $19.56/hr while Durham hygienists earn $23.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Durham as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Durham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $43,670, Durham = $50,440), job availability (90 vs 670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Burlington vs Durham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $31,606 in Burlington and $38,031 in Durham. The Durham area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov