Lawyer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Lawyers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $131,920 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $96,678 take-home, or $8,057 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$20,395
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,179
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,913
- North Carolina income tax$4,755
- Take-home pay$96,678
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,550 | $38.25 | $62,128 | $5,177 |
| 25th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 | $66,402 | $5,533 |
| Median (50th) | $131,920 | $63.42 | $96,678 | $8,057 |
| 75th percentile | $211,490 | $101.68 | $149,460 | $12,455 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $331,770+ | $159.50 | $222,352 | $18,529 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $131,920 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 lawyer's $96,678 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,494 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 1.2× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #82 of 149 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 82 | Raleigh, NC | $131,920 | $96,678 | $98,494 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $157,180
- Winston, NC — $126,250
- Greensboro, NC — $126,960
- Durham, NC — $132,790
- Wilmington, NC — $109,620
- Asheville, NC — $105,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median lawyer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $131,920 a year, or about $63.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,990 and $211,490.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $131,920 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $96,678 a year ($8,057 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,755 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,494 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #82 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer 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) — 20% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $61,880