Lawyer Salary in Apex, NC: $113,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Apex, NC earns a median $113,787/year (≈ $54.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $121,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a lawyer's salary in Apex, North Carolina, averages around $113,787, which reflects a significant difference from the national median salary of $167,174. This local figure illustrates the disparities often observed between large prestigious law firms, mid-market practices, and smaller entities. The salary range in Apex varies widely from $65,997 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $176,369 at the high end (90th percentile), indicating that compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as the firm’s size and clientele, individual experience, and areas of specialization. The estimates provided derive from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and are adjusted for regional cost variations in Apex.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,997 | $31.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,927 | $39.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,787 | $54.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,647 | $70.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,369 | $84.80 |
Median Salary Position
31.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,372 (2026 est.). At $113,787, the local median is 31.93% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Lawyer Pay Compares
Apex median: $113,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $112,996 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -31.93% less |
Lawyers in Apex, NC earn a median of $113,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.93% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $112,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $113,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,567 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,692
2025 BLS Actual
$108,679
2026 Current Est.
$113,787
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,679 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $83,692 (2019) to $108,679 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,443 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,997 – $81,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,927 – $113,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,787 – $145,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,647 – $176,369 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Apex
The job market for lawyers in Apex currently stands at 16 employed professionals, reflecting a niche environment that might offer limited competition among legal practitioners. With a cost of living index at 93.6, the overall purchasing power of lawyers in Apex may provide a more favorable quality of life compared to national averages. Employers in the region range from boutique practices to corporate in-house teams, with larger firms likely to offer more competitive packages, though not typically on par with BigLaw salaries seen in larger markets like New York or San Francisco. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors including firm tier, location, and additional benefits, such as bonuses and equity partnerships. For those seeking to enhance their earnings, focusing on niche specialties, building strong client relationships, and possibly transitioning to in-house corporate roles could be beneficial strategies within the Apex legal market.
More salary data for Apex, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $108,679 for lawyersin the Apex metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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