📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Lawyer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$156,101
per year
Median
$132,642
per year
Hourly
$75.05
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$64,750
25th Percentile — Junior$96,944
50th Percentile — Median$132,642
75th Percentile — Senior$169,381
90th Percentile — Top Earners$200,258
💡 Top-earning Lawyers in North Carolina make up to $200,258 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$131.4k
2021
$136.0k
2022
$140.8k
2023
$145.7k
2024
$150.8k
2025
$156.1k
2026
📈 Lawyer salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Lawyer Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $149,857 -4.0% High
Raleigh $152,979 -2.0% High
Greensboro $140,491 -10.0% High
Durham $151,418 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $135,808 -13.0% High
🔍
Lawyer Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Lawyers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $156,101 per year, North Carolina's Lawyer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $64,750–$96,944, while experienced Lawyers can command $169,381–$200,258.

Looking ahead, the Lawyer profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Lawyer salary in North Carolina is $156,101 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $171,540.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Lawyers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Lawyer employment.
  • At $156,101/year, North Carolina Lawyer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $171,540/year.