Lawyer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $55.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Wilmington, NC runs $55.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the prevailing lawyer hourly rate is set at $55.18, distinctly lower than the national median of $80.37. This median rate is relevant for legal professionals considering part-time or per-diem positions, which are often appealing for lawyers seeking flexible work arrangements. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week could effectively tailor their hours to accommodate other pursuits or commitments while earning a decent income. The hourly rates in Wilmington range from $32.77 at the entry-level to $152.25 for top earners, indicating a broad spectrum of income potential within various legal contexts such as law firms, courtrooms, or corporate legal departments. Employing the official data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these figures highlight the financial realities faced by lawyers in this vibrant coastal city.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.77 | $262.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.22 | $321.72 |
| Median (P50) | $55.18 | $441.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.50 | $699.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152.25 | $1218.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $55.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.18/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $114,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,212. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,207.08 | $9,564 | $114,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,324.25 | $5,738 | $68,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $882.83 | $3,826 | $45,907 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Wilmington) | $55.18 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $114,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.35% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.50% above the North Carolina state average of $113,076.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.18/hr = $68,861/year (purchasing power: $71,416).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,768/year (purchasing power: $119,027).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+83.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Wilmington grew 67.5% from $31.47/hr (2019) to $52.70/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.77/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Looking deeper into the local lawyer pay dynamics, part-time legal practitioners who work a 24-hour week could earn a straightforward income, though less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem lawyer pay in Wilmington reflects the broader industry trends, where contract attorneys may find compensation between $25-$50/hr for mundane document review roles, while more seasoned attorneys can charge $200-$500/hr for specialized 1099 agreements. Larger firms, especially those ranked on the Cravath scale, often introduce differing rates from regional firms, with secure positions frequently tied to lower hourly pay but enhanced benefits. Many lawyers in Wilmington might weigh the pros and cons of lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits versus higher independent rates with no health insurance. To negotiate effectively within this varied legal environment, you're encouraged to assess your value based on specialization, experience, and the particular legal segment in which you are seeking opportunities.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. 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