Paralegal Salary in North Carolina: $59,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $59,746/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,831 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($61,880), Cary ($61,585), Concord ($60,849).
In 2026, the average median salary for paralegals in North Carolina is projected to be $59,746, which is approximately 8.2% lower than the national median of $65,097. Salaries vary considerably across the state, with Raleigh offering the highest pay at $64,052 while Greenville ranks as the lowest at $49,198. This $14,854 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for legal services in different regions, and concentration of law firms in metropolitan areas. North Carolina has specific state licensing requirements and laws regarding the scope of practice for paralegals, which can influence job responsibilities and demand. The projected annual growth rate for paralegal positions is 3.51%, indicating a steadily expanding job market. The top five cities with projected salaries in 2026 include Cary at $63,747, Concord at $62,985, Fayetteville at $62,489, and Charlotte at $61,971, all reflecting the varied legal landscape in the state. Overall, the paralegal job market in North Carolina presents opportunities, particularly in urban centers like Raleigh, where demand for legal professionals continues to rise.
North Carolina Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $33,196 (lowest entry-level) to $103,024 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina paralegals earn 8.22% less than the national median ($-5,351/year difference).
North Carolina Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in North Carolina range from $42,261 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,778 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,746. The North Carolina median is $5,351 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $28.72/hr. Approximately 12,244 paralegals are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,845
2025 BLS Actual
$57,720
2026 Current Est.
$59,746
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,845 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,328 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,844 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 23.2% from $46,845 (2019) to $57,720 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,844 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,999 (32.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Greenville | $49,198 |
| Leland | $49,627 |
| Hickory | $50,233 |
| Carrboro | $50,370 |
| Indian Trail | $50,568 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary | $63,747 | 93.6 | $68,106 |
| Fayetteville | $62,489 | 91.978 | $67,939 |
| Concord | $62,985 | 93.6 | $67,292 |
| Greensboro | $60,709 | 92.865 | $65,373 |
| Raleigh | $64,052 | 98.157 | $65,255 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,261 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,746 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,778 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $64,052 |
| 2 | Cary | $63,747 |
| 3 | Concord | $62,985 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $62,489 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $61,971 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $60,709 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $60,651 |
| 8 | High Point | $59,774 |
| 9 | Asheville | $59,518 |
| 10 | Wilmington | $58,028 |
| 11 | Winston-Salem | $55,387 |
| 12 | Chapel Hill | $54,797 |
| 13 | Durham | $54,343 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $54,015 |
| 15 | Kannapolis | $53,930 |
| 16 | Apex | $53,803 |
| 17 | Jacksonville | $53,442 |
| 18 | Burlington | $53,432 |
| 19 | Statesville | $52,998 |
| 20 | Kernersville | $52,953 |
| 21 | Matthews | $52,828 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $52,737 |
| 23 | Sanford | $52,691 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $52,690 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $52,666 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $52,525 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $52,517 |
| 28 | Winston | $52,459 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $52,430 |
| 30 | New Bern | $52,409 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $52,397 |
| 32 | Goldsboro | $51,641 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $51,568 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $51,405 |
| 35 | Monroe | $51,384 |
| 36 | Garner | $51,269 |
| 37 | Wilson | $51,231 |
| 38 | Pinehurst | $51,165 |
| 39 | Boone | $51,010 |
| 40 | Rocky Mount | $50,865 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $50,568 |
| 42 | Carrboro | $50,370 |
| 43 | Hickory | $50,233 |
| 44 | Leland | $49,627 |
| 45 | Greenville | $49,198 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in North Carolina in 2026?
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How does North Carolina paralegal pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov