Lawyer Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $66.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Raleigh, NC runs $66.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,120 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,868 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, lawyers earn a median hourly rate of $66.40, which is lower than the national median of $80.37. This discrepancy may indicate that Raleigh's legal market, while thriving, offers fewer high-paying roles typically found in larger metropolitan areas. For lawyers working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,270 weekly, or about $66,000 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Hourly rates in Raleigh range widely, reflecting the varying experience levels within the profession. Entry-level lawyers might earn around $40.05 per hour, while top earners in prestigious positions can command as much as $167.01 per hour. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides valuable insights into the local legal market, particularly for those considering part-time or per diem positions.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.05 | $320.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.28 | $346.26 |
| Median (P50) | $66.40 | $531.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.46 | $851.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167.01 | $1336.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $66.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.40/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $138,114 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,681. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,656.03 | $11,509 | $138,114 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,593.62 | $6,906 | $82,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,062.41 | $4,604 | $55,245 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Raleigh) | $66.40 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $138,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.38% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 22.20% above the North Carolina state average of $113,028.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.40/hr = $82,868/year (purchasing power: $84,424).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,114/year (purchasing power: $140,707).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$58.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Raleigh grew 8.9% from $58.23/hr (2019) to $63.42/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.52/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Assessing the part-time earning potential reveals significant differences in annual income compared to full-time positions. A lawyer working part-time could face challenges in terms of benefits, often opting for contract or per-diem roles that pay between $25-$50 per hour for lower-level tasks like document review. In contrast, experienced contract attorneys may bill $200-$500 per hour for complex work, while specialized expert witnesses can demand rates between $400-$800 per hour. In Raleigh, hourly pay can vary drastically based on the type of employer; BigLaw firms typically pay higher rates, reflecting their competitive stature, while government positions or public interest roles provide more stability but lower compensation. This market diversity leads to a trade-off between hourly pay and benefits, as some lawyers may prioritize higher pay without benefits from private practice over lower hourly pay coupled with health insurance from government roles. Negotiating hourly rates in Raleigh can hinge upon understanding these dynamics and leveraging local knowledge to achieve favorable terms.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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