Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $132,100 ($63.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $63,700/year and the 90th was $334,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $96,794 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$132,100$63.51 per hour · $11,008 monthly
10th Percentile$63,700$30.63/hr base
25th Percentile$85,000$40.87/hr base
75th Percentile$217,400$104.52/hr base
90th Percentile$334,900$161.01/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$132,100
$50,000$265,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$132,100
Net 73%
Fed 15%
NC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$96,794After all taxes
Monthly deposit$8,066Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,723Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$20,438 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$4,762 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$10,106 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$30.63/hr$5,308$63,700$51,330
25th Percentile$40.87/hr$7,083$85,000$65,745
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$63.51/hr$11,008$132,100$96,794
75th Percentile$104.52/hr$18,117$217,400$153,577
90th Percentile$161.01/hr$27,908$334,900$224,188

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$132,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio158.2%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $132,100, which equates to approximately $11,008 per month or $63.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $63.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $30.63/hour and one in ten earned more than $161.01/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $63,700 at the 10th percentile to $85,000 at the 25th, $217,400 at the 75th, and $334,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $132,100, an estimated $96,794 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,723 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $35,306 (an effective rate of 26.7%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $132,100, gross monthly income is $11,008. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $8,066 per month (or $3,723 every two weeks).

Is $132,100 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $132,100, the median salary for lawyers is 158.2% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.