Lawyer salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Lawyers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $126,250 a year ($60.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $317,580 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $127,710. There are 3.0 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $151,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| Median | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| 75th percentile | $196,310 | $94.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $317,580 | $152.68 |
| Average (mean) | $151,960 | $73.06 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,520.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,260.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,855.77 |
| Weekly | $2,427.88 |
| Hourly | $60.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $126,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,180 | 5,380 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $133,380 | 2,280 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $132,790 | 1,220 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $131,920 | 4,350 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $126,960 | 980 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $113,980 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $109,620 | 480 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $107,950 | 320 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $105,510 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $105,480 | 470 |
| Burlington, NC | $102,120 | 100 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $99,420 | 100 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $97,330 | 270 |
| Greenville, NC | $82,880 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $81,660 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $48,450 | $23.29 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for lawyers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $126,250 a year, or $60.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $317,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $317,580 a year. The top 25% earn $196,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,010 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $80,570 or less.
How many lawyers work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 830 lawyers are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.