Lawyer Salary in High Point, NC: $130,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in High Point, NC earns a median $130,880/year (≈ $62.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $139,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer salary in High Point, NC, is projected to reach a median of $130,880, illustrating a significant difference compared to the national median of $167,174. The local salary range spans from $75,911 at the 10th percentile to $202,865 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a competitive pay structure rooted in varying firm types. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. This highlights the structural dynamics in High Point’s legal market, where salaries can reflect the level of firm prestige, affecting pay scales across larger firms, mid-market operations, and solo practices.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,911 | $36.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,234 | $45.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,880 | $62.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,526 | $80.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,865 | $97.53 |
Median Salary Position
21.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,954 (2026 est.). At $130,880, the local median is 21.71% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Lawyer Pay Compares
High Point median: $130,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $113,023 | +15.80% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.71% less |
Lawyers in High Point, NC earn a median of $130,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.71% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 15.80% above the North Carolina state average of $113,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $130,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,829 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,265
2025 BLS Actual
$125,005
2026 Current Est.
$130,880
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,451 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $96,265 (2019) to $125,005 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,767 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $75,911 – $94,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,234 – $130,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,880 – $167,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,526 – $202,865 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in High Point
With only 23 lawyers currently practicing in High Point, the local job market remains relatively small yet stable. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 93.6, which allows for a more favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many other regions. High Point's employers span several sectors, from boutique firms to in-house corporate legal departments, with the latter typically offering better work-life balance, albeit at lower pay compared to BigLaw firms that could drive salaries higher due to billable hour expectations and partnership opportunities. Differences in pay are further influenced by the nature of the work environment—government positions might provide lower compensation but come with benefits like student loan forgiveness options. To maximize earning potential in High Point, aspiring lawyers should consider aligning with firms that offer clear advancement paths and those that prioritize high billable hours; looking into areas that complement their practice specialties can also yield better compensation.
More salary data for High Point, 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 $125,005 for lawyersin the High Point 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 High Point 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