Lawyer salary in North Carolina
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A lawyer in North Carolina earns a median of $127,710 a year ($61.40/hour equivalent), 20.0% below the national median of $159,670. North Carolina ranks #29 of 51 states. About 17,000 people do this job in North Carolina.
Take-home pay in North Carolina
At the North Carolina median, a single filer keeps about $93,969 a year after federal, FICA and North Carolina taxes — $3,614 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the North Carolina paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,911.92
- Federal income tax
- −$745.55
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$304.54
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$71.22
- North Carolina income tax
- −$176.42
- Take-home pay
- $3,614.19
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $127,710
- Federal
- $19,384
- FICA
- $9,770
- State + local
- $4,587
- Net
- $93,969
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How North Carolina compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York | $207,860 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| #3 | California | $195,080 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| #5 | Delaware | $173,510 |
| #29 | North Carolina | $127,710 |
| #49 | Wyoming | $100,130 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $98,880 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $91,690 |
See the national lawyer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Lawyers (SOC 23-1011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in North Carolina?
The median salary is $127,710 a year and the average is $160,340 (BLS May 2025).
Is North Carolina a good state for lawyers?
North Carolina ranks #29 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 20% below the national median of $159,670.
What is $127,710 after taxes in North Carolina?
About $93,969 a year ($3,614 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.