North Carolina ranks 28th of 50 states and D.C. for lawyers pay, trailing top-paying California ($197,790) by $72,910 — a 58% gap.
Lawyers are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.73 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.37× below the national share.
North Carolina employs roughly 2.3% of all lawyers in the country (17,380 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| 25th percentile | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,880 | $60.04 |
| 75th percentile | $202,320 | $97.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $159,830 | $76.84 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $124,880 | n/a |
| California | $197,790 | +58% |
| District of Columbia | $191,880 | +54% |
| Massachusetts | $179,050 | +43% |
| New York | $177,210 | +42% |
| Delaware | $172,710 | +38% |
| Colorado | $167,970 | +35% |
| Connecticut | $159,240 | +28% |
| New Jersey | $158,470 | +27% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | $125,020 | 8,020 |
| Public Relations Managers | $123,800 | 1,390 |
| Computer Network Architects | $126,000 | 7,440 |
| Veterinarians | $123,430 | 2,950 |
| Commercial Pilots | $126,740 | 1,470 |
| Physician Assistants | $128,540 | 8,520 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Lawyers salary in North Carolina?
The mean lawyers salary in North Carolina is $159,830 per year. The median (middle) salary is $124,880 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Lawyers in North Carolina?
Entry-level lawyerss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $58,820 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $79,420 per year.
What is the highest Lawyers salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $202,320 per year.
How does the North Carolina Lawyers salary compare to the national average?
The median lawyers salary in North Carolina is $124,880, which is -17% below national average of $151,160.