Lawyer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $138,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $138,120/year (≈ $66.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $140,713 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Raleigh, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $138,120, which represents a notable gap of 17.38% below the national median of $167,174. The salary range for attorneys in this region varies significantly, with the lower end at $83,289 and the upper end reaching as high as $347,363, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This disparity can often be attributed to the divide between public sector employment, which typically offers lower salaries but benefits such as loan forgiveness programs, and private practice roles that generally command higher pay, especially in larger firms. Raleigh's legal job market comprises approximately 4,350 employed lawyers, suggesting a healthy demand for legal professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,289 | $40.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,032 | $43.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,120 | $66.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,430 | $106.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $347,363 | $167.01 |
Median Salary Position
17.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $264,074 (2026 est.). At $138,120, the local median is 17.38% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Raleigh Lawyer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $138,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $113,028 | +22.20% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -17.38% less |
Lawyers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $138,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.38% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 22.20% above the North Carolina state average of $113,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $138,120 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,713 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,120
2025 BLS Actual
$131,920
2026 Current Est.
$138,120
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 8.9% from $121,120 (2019) to $131,920 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,492 (19.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $83,289 – $90,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,032 – $138,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,120 – $221,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,430 – $347,363 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Raleigh
Examining the local job market further reveals the impact of the cost of living in Raleigh, which has a below-average index of 98.157. This means that while lawyer pay in Raleigh, NC, may be lower than the national average, the relatively affordable cost of living allows for reasonable purchasing power. BigLaw firms often lead the pay scales, attracting talent with lucrative compensation packages that can exceed $200,000, especially for associates coming from competitive schools. However, they also expect long hours, reinforcing the appeal of mid-size firms that offer salaries ranging between $80,000 and $160,000 while maintaining a more balanced work-life dynamic. In-house legal departments may provide better lifestyle benefits but typically offer slower salary growth, while public interest and government roles lag behind in compensation yet provide significant student loan relief options. For those looking to maximize their lawyer salary in Raleigh, fostering connections in the local legal community, pursuing specialized practice areas, or considering roles in higher-paying firms are effective strategies for enhancing earning potential.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $131,920 for lawyersin the Raleigh 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