Lawyer Salary in Cary, NC: $137,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Cary, NC earns a median $137,463/year (≈ $66.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $146,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, lawyers earn a median annual salary of $137,463 as of 2026, which is notably below the national median of $167,174. This reflects a broader trend in the region, where lawyer salaries range from $79,728 (P10) to $213,068 (P90), showcasing the disparities that exist within the profession. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive local market influenced by specific regional cost adjustments. While some practitioners may be drawn to public sector roles due to benefits like student loan forgiveness, the allure of potentially higher salaries in private practice remains strong, especially among those who are willing to work long hours customary at larger law firms.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,728 | $38.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,973 | $47.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,463 | $66.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,953 | $84.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,068 | $102.44 |
Median Salary Position
17.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,340 (2026 est.). At $137,463, the local median is 17.77% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Lawyer Pay Compares
Cary median: $137,463/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $113,045 | +21.60% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -17.77% less |
Lawyers in Cary, NC earn a median of $137,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 21.60% above the North Carolina state average of $113,045.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $137,463 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,106
2025 BLS Actual
$131,292
2026 Current Est.
$137,463
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,106 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,371 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,615 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,292 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $101,106 (2019) to $131,292 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,817 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $79,728 – $98,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,973 – $137,463 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,463 – $175,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,953 – $213,068 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Cary
With a relatively limited cohort of 44 employed lawyers in Cary, the local job market remains stable yet competitive. The area’s cost of living index stands at 93.6, which allows for better purchasing power relative to other regions. The distribution of salaries in Cary can be influenced by the tier of the firm—a significant factor driving the disparity between compensation levels. BigLaw firms may demand more billable hours yet offer salaries that reflect their higher stakes, while mid-size and boutique firms might provide a more balanced lifestyle without completely sacrificing earnings. Individuals aiming to optimize their earnings in this market should consider aligning with established firms, seeking equity partnerships, or exploring in-house corporate roles that can provide steady compensation with work-life balance. Understanding these dynamics is essential for any lawyer looking to thrive in Cary, NC.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $131,292 for lawyersin the Cary 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 Cary 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