Lawyer Salary in Greensboro, NC: $132,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Greensboro, NC earns a median $132,927/year (≈ $63.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Greensboro's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $143,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyer salaries in Greensboro, North Carolina, are projected to reach a median annual income of $132,927. The compensation for lawyers in this region varies widely, with annual salaries ranging from $73,405 at the 10th percentile to $324,769 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates, revealing a competitive market for legal professionals. Despite the lower median compared to the national average of $167,174, Greensboro offers a financially viable option for lawyers, especially considering the local context of cost and quality of life.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,405 | $35.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,660 | $41.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,927 | $63.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,663 | $95.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $324,769 | $156.14 |
Median Salary Position
20.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greensboro
In Greensboro, NC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $251,364 (2026 est.). At $132,927, the local median is 20.49% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greensboro: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Greensboro Lawyer Pay Compares
Greensboro median: $132,927/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $113,033 | +17.60% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -20.49% less |
Lawyers in Greensboro, NC earn a median of $132,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.49% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 17.60% above the North Carolina state average of $113,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greensboro has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greensboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.865 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $132,927 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,010
2025 BLS Actual
$126,960
2026 Current Est.
$132,927
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Greensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,175 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greensboro metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 32.2% from $96,010 (2019) to $126,960 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,165 (44.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greensboro 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) | $73,405 – $86,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,660 – $132,927 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,927 – $197,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,663 – $324,769 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Greensboro
With approximately 980 lawyers practicing in Greensboro, the local job market presents a range of opportunities influenced by various employer types. The cost of living index for the area stands at 92.865, which contributes to a better take-home purchasing power for legal professionals, particularly compared to major metropolitan areas. Large law firms in Greensboro, while not reaching the heights of BigLaw such as Cravath or Kirkland, still provide solid salaries that can rival regional and mid-sized firms. Factors that affect compensation include the tier of the firm, billable hour requirements—often between 1,800 to 2,400 hours annually—and the potential for bonuses based on merit. For lawyers aiming to maximize their earnings in Greensboro, strategic choices like pursuing roles in corporate legal departments or selecting firms with strong performance and client bases can yield favorable outcomes.
More salary data for Greensboro, 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 $126,960 for lawyersin the Greensboro 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
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