Lawyer Salary in Wilmington, NC
Lawyers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $109,620 a year — 31% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $82,083 take-home, or $6,840 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,286
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,796
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,589
- North Carolina income tax$3,865
- Take-home pay$82,083
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,100 | $31.30 | $52,399 | $4,367 |
| 25th percentile | $79,880 | $38.40 | $62,347 | $5,196 |
| Median (50th) | $109,620 | $52.70 | $82,083 | $6,840 |
| 75th percentile | $173,830 | $83.57 | $123,652 | $10,304 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $302,470+ | $145.42 | $205,164 | $17,097 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $109,620 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $82,083 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,128 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lawyer jobs are less concentrated in Wilmington, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.52), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Wilmington, NC ranks #137 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 |
| 137 | Wilmington, NC | $109,620 | $82,083 | $85,128 |
*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
- Raleigh, NC — $131,920
- Asheville, NC — $105,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Wilmington, NC?
The median lawyer salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $109,620 a year, or about $52.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,880 and $173,830.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $109,620 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $82,083 a year ($6,840 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,865 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 31% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,128 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #137 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 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 Wilmington, NC
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $56,060