Lawyer Salary in Winston, NC
Lawyers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median $126,250 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $93,029 take-home, or $7,752 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Winston, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,034
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,828
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,831
- North Carolina income tax$4,529
- Take-home pay$93,029
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Winston, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,010 | $21.64 | $37,058 | $3,088 |
| 25th percentile | $80,570 | $38.74 | $62,805 | $5,234 |
| Median (50th) | $126,250 | $60.70 | $93,029 | $7,752 |
| 75th percentile | $196,310 | $94.38 | $138,852 | $11,571 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $317,580+ | $152.68 | $214,028 | $17,836 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $126,250 buys in Winston, NC
Prices in Winston, NC are 8.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $93,029 take-home pay has the buying power of $101,071 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 Winston, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.63), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Winston, NC ranks #67 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 |
| 67 | Winston, NC | $126,250 | $93,029 | $101,071 |
*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
- Greensboro, NC — $126,960
- Durham, NC — $132,790
- Raleigh, NC — $131,920
- Wilmington, NC — $109,620
- Asheville, NC — $105,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Winston, NC?
The median lawyer salary in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $126,250 a year, or about $60.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,570 and $196,310.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Winston, NC?
On the median $126,250 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $93,029 a year ($7,752 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,529 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 8.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $101,071 would in a typical U.S. city. Winston, NC ranks #67 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Winston, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Winston, NC is $1,031 a month ($1,164 for two bedrooms) — 13% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Winston, NC
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $50,680