Dialysis Technician Salary in Durham, NC: $49,215 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dialysis technician in Durham, NC earns a median $49,215/year (≈ $23.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $50,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, the dialysis technician salary is estimated to reach a median annual income of $49,215 in 2026, marking an 8.59% increase over the national median of $45,322. The salary range for this role varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $38,031 and skilled technicians earning up to $86,417 annually. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflects a competitive landscape largely influenced by the standards set by predominant employers such as Fresenius and DaVita, which dominate outpatient care and create benchmarks for compensation. The local job market in Durham is favorable, providing ample opportunities for skilled technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,031 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,186 | $20.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,215 | $23.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,295 | $34.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,417 | $41.55 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the dialysis technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,386 (2026 est.). At $49,215, the local median is 8.59% above the national median of $45,322.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Durham Dialysis Technician Pay Compares
Durham median: $49,215/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,219 | +19.40% more |
| National Average | $45,322 | +8.59% more |
Dialysis Technicians in Durham, NC earn a median of $49,215 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% higher than the national median of $45,322 and 19.40% above the North Carolina state average of $41,219.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A dialysis technician earning $49,215 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,440 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$45,260
2025 BLS Actual
$48,057
2026 Current Est.
$49,215
2021–2027 Growth
+11.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Durham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,215 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,401 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median dialysis technician salary grew 6.2% from $45,260 (2021) to $48,057 (2025). At a 2.41% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,141 (11.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,031 – $42,186 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,186 – $49,215 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,215 – $72,295 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,295 – $86,417 |
DT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dialysis technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dialysis Technician Job Market in Durham
The job market for dialysis technicians in Durham currently employs about 670 professionals, indicating strong demand for this essential healthcare role. With a cost-of-living index of 97.572, Durham offers a relatively affordable living situation, translating the technician salaries into better purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas. Notably, the highest-paying positions are found within major outpatient chains like Fresenius and DaVita, where many technicians can secure additional income through factors such as shift differentials and specialized roles like home dialysis training. Technicians seeking to elevate their pay should consider opportunities for charge pay, biomedical equipment training stipends, and roles that demand higher expertise. By aligning their skills with the needs of local employers, dialysis technicians can maximize their potential earnings and navigate the competitive landscape of patient care in Durham, NC.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,057 for dialysis techniciansin the Durham metropolitan area. A 2.41% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov