Lawyer Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, NC: $41.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Jacksonville, NC runs $41.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,498 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.1, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,299 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the lawyer hourly rate sits at a median of $41.11, notably lower than the national median of $80.37. This discrepancy indicates a unique local market for legal services where part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, can yield around $31,000 annually before taxes, significantly impacting lifestyle choices for attorneys. The hourly wage range in Jacksonville spans from $20.03 at the lower end to $86.02 for top earners, reflecting the diverse levels of experience and specialization within the profession. Lawyers in this area may work in various environments—from bustling law firm partner offices and client conference rooms to in-house corporate legal departments and remote contract drafting roles—each offering different opportunities and compensation structures. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates the current state of lawyer hourly pay in Jacksonville, NC.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.03 | $160.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.05 | $256.39 |
| Median (P50) | $41.11 | $328.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.68 | $501.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.02 | $688.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $41.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.11/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, NC can expect to earn approximately $85,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,326. With a cost-of-living index of 92.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,644.21 | $7,125 | $85,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $986.53 | $4,275 | $51,299 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $657.68 | $2,850 | $34,200 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Jacksonville) | $41.11 |
| 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 Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $85,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.86% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 24.40% below the North Carolina state average of $113,093.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.11/hr = $51,299/year (purchasing power: $55,709).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,499/year (purchasing power: $92,848).
CoL index: 92.085 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Jacksonville grew -8.6% from $42.94/hr (2019) to $39.26/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.04/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
For attorneys working part-time in Jacksonville, the financial landscape can be quite different compared to their full-time counterparts. For those working as per diem lawyers—billing rates often range from $25 to $50 an hour in lower-end contract work—while those engaged in more specialized roles, such as expert witnesses, can command between $400 and $800 per hour. The type of employer plays a crucial role in determining hourly rates as well. BigLaw firms frequently approach compensation from the Cravath-scale perspective, setting the bar high in exchange for demanding billable hour expectations. In contrast, mid-sized and regional firms may provide a more balanced approach, where lawyers receive decent pay without the relentless hours associated with top firms. Positions in government agencies or public interest law often come with lower hourly rates but may offer benefits like student loan forgiveness. Navigating these negotiations can be complex; lawyers should assess the full package of compensation versus benefits to find a fit that aligns with their financial goals and personal needs.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville. 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, 7-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