What the data says about lawyer pay in Raleigh
Monthly take-home on that median is roughly US$9,300; local prices sit at COL 100, so its buying power is about US$131,900.
Raleigh vs the national and NC picture
San Jose leads at US$301,320, 128% above Raleigh, while Jacksonville sits at US$127,920. The neighbours in the ranking are Phoenix and Jacksonville.
Raleigh is the only observed NC metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Raleigh lawyers
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$131,900).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 20th of 21 either way.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$9,300 monthly (15% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 18% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$5,790 in the black.
Metros with a cost level like Raleigh
A lawyer moving from Raleigh to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 58% to US$208,880, with US$4,880 more left over monthly in our model.
In Los Angeles — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$194,410 (+47% vs Raleigh), and the modeled budget leaves US$3,960 more each month.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$165,660 (+26% vs Raleigh), and the modeled budget leaves US$2,140 more each month.
Where Lawyer ranks among Raleigh jobs
Of the 9 roles we track in Raleigh, Lawyer is 2nd by median; the highest is Software Engineer (US$132,770).
Closest neighbours in the Raleigh list: Data Scientist at US$120,710 (-8%).
Where Raleigh stands for junior and senior lawyers
Senior pay is the relative strength in Raleigh: US$331,770 at the 90th percentile ranks 14th of 21, while US$79,550 at the 10th ranks 17th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$421,000 at the 90th percentile, +27% against Raleigh.
The lawyer pay range in Raleigh
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$79,550 and the 90th US$331,770, a 4.2× ratio.