Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Raleigh, NC
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $61,880 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,940 take-home, or $4,162 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,246
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,837
- Medicare (1.45%)$897
- North Carolina income tax$1,960
- Take-home pay$49,940
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,690 | $18.60 | $32,232 | $2,686 |
| 25th percentile | $48,910 | $23.51 | $40,036 | $3,336 |
| Median (50th) | $61,880 | $29.75 | $49,940 | $4,162 |
| 75th percentile | $75,530 | $36.31 | $59,460 | $4,955 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,560 | $41.13 | $66,116 | $5,510 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,880 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $49,940 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,878 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.4× the national concentration of paralegal and legal assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #25 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
| 25 | Raleigh, NC | $61,880 | $49,940 | $50,878 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $59,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Raleigh, NC?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $61,880 a year, or about $29.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,910 and $75,530.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $61,880 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $49,940 a year ($4,162 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,960 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,878 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #25 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Lawyer — $131,920