Lawyers in North Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Lawyers in North Carolina was $124,880 in 2024, about 16% below the US median of $149,496. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
The average wage of $159,830 sits $34,950 above the median. A smaller group of high earners pulls that figure up, which means the middle of the profession in North Carolina earns considerably less than the top. The spread from the 25th percentile ($79,420) to the 75th ($202,320) covers more than $120,000, a range wide enough to hold entry-level public defenders and senior partners in the same occupation code.
North Carolina's cost of living runs about 5% below the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the median wage is closer to $131,000 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the headline gap to roughly 12%. The state is cheaper than most coastal legal markets, and for lawyers whose clients are local rather than national, that matters more than the nominal shortfall suggests.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, in line with average growth across all occupations. With 17,380 lawyers already in state, North Carolina is not a small market. Charlotte and the Research Triangle account for a large share of that base, and the mix of corporate, regulatory, and litigation work in those metros tends to support wages above the statewide median.
Salary distribution
Where North Carolina lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,220 and $210,130, with a median of $127,710.
Lawyers in North Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $174,500. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $68,224 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $310,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $190,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $312,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in North Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayer Brown LLP | Associate Attorney | 2 | $295,000 |
| Southern Coalition for Social Justice | Counsel, Environmental Justice | 2 | $68,224 |
| Honeywell Electronic Chemicals LLC | Lead Attorney | 1 | $169,000 |
| Moore & Van Allen PLLC | Associate | 1 | $310,000 |
| Moore & Van Allen, PLLC | Intellectual Property Associate | 1 | $190,000 |
| Myers Bigel, P.A. | Associate Patent Attorney | 1 | $180,000 |
| Proskauer Rose LLP | Associate | 1 | $260,000 |
| Reliable Sanitation & Recycling (GGR) LLC | General Counsel | 1 | $100,000 |
| Remnant Management | Staff Attorney | 1 | $70,000 |
| The Law Offices of Attorney Timothy J. Pavone, PLLC | Law Clerk | 1 | $65,208 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Associate at Moore & Van Allen PLLC$310,000CharlotteWage Level IIDecided Mar 2, 2026I-200-26055-659178
- Intellectual Property Associate at Moore & Van Allen, PLLC$190,000CharlotteWage Level IIIDecided Feb 25, 2026I-200-26049-648070
- Associate at Proskauer Rose LLP$260,000Suite 3610Wage Level IVDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-359333
- Lead Attorney at Honeywell Electronic Chemicals LLC$169,000CharlotteDecided Sep 19, 2025I-200-25255-306607
- General Counsel at Reliable Sanitation & Recycling (GGR) LLC$100,000RaleighWage Level IDecided Jun 25, 2025I-203-25168-100754
- Associate Attorney at Mayer Brown LLP$225,000CharlotteWage Level IIIDecided Jun 10, 2025I-200-25154-046987
- Counsel, Environmental Justice at Southern Coalition for Social Justice$68,224DurhamWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-003427
- Law Clerk at The Law Offices of Attorney Timothy J. Pavone, PLLC$65,208CharlotteWage Level IDecided May 21, 2025I-200-25134-973753
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in North Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Lawyers in North Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 12 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $190,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Mayer Brown LLP | 9 | $190,000 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Southern Coalition for Social Justice | 2 | $68,224 |
| Real estate | Remnant Management | 1 | $70,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in North Carolina is $127,710.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The North Carolina median is -19.8% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $61,610 and the 90th-percentile at $323,720, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.