Lawyer Hourly Pay in Goldsboro, NC: $57.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Goldsboro, NC runs $57.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,337 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Goldsboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,605 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers stands at $57.38, which falls significantly below the national median of $80.37. This rate impacts various working arrangements, particularly for those engaged as part-time attorneys or per-diem workers in settings like law firm offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. With an entry-level hourly rate beginning at $30.69 and top earners charging as much as $145.75, there exists a considerable range in compensation levels. This data reflects the official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, illustrating the financial landscape that legal professionals face within the local job market while seeking to maintain a balance between work-life demands and their financial ambitions.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.69 | $245.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.13 | $305.05 |
| Median (P50) | $57.38 | $459.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.05 | $752.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145.75 | $1166.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Goldsboro
Based on $57.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.38/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Goldsboro, NC can expect to earn approximately $119,341 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,851. With a cost-of-living index of 88.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Goldsboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Goldsboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,295.02 | $9,945 | $119,341 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,377.01 | $5,967 | $71,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $918.01 | $3,978 | $47,736 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Goldsboro) | $57.38 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $119,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.62% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.60% above the North Carolina state average of $113,009.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.38/hr = $71,605/year (purchasing power: $80,944).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,341/year (purchasing power: $134,907).
CoL index: 88.462 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Goldsboro grew 20.4% from $45.52/hr (2019) to $54.80/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Goldsboro
For part-time lawyers working a 3-day week, their annual earnings could be around $44,036, assuming a standard 24-hour workweek, compared to full-time colleagues who benefit from a more robust salary structure. The nature of per-diem or contract roles in Goldsboro can vary widely, with typical review work ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, while experienced attorneys in established practices can bill clients between $200 and $500 hourly for specialized services. This complexity is further amplified by the differences in pay scales across various employer types, with BigLaw firms and corporate legal departments often offering higher rates, though they demand more uncompensated hours. Conversely, public defenders and legal aid positions exist at the lower end of the spectrum, yet they offer valuable benefits such as student loan forgiveness. Understanding these nuances, especially in the negotiation of hourly contracts, can empower legal professionals in Goldsboro to seek compensation that aligns with their skills and market standards.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Goldsboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov