SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Raleigh
Raleigh-Cary, NC · 10 metro areas compared
At $61,880, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $62,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $61,880, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $62,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,690 at the tenth percentile to more than $85,560 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,910 to $75,530.
The area has 2,540 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.35 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $60,370. Of the 571 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 256th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,690 | −38.5% |
| 25th | $48,910 | −22.2% |
| Median (50th) | $61,880 | −1.6% |
| 75th | $75,530 | +20.1% |
| 90th | $85,560 | +36.0% |
| Mean | $63,060 | +0.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $60,370 | 420 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $59,870 | 4,140 | |
| 3 | Greensboro | $58,650 | 860 | |
| 4 | Asheville | $57,500 | 590 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $56,060 | 580 | |
| 6 | Durham | $52,500 | 890 | |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $51,630 | 210 | |
| 8 | Burlington | $51,620 | 110 | |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | $50,680 | 830 | |
| 10 | Goldsboro | $49,890 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Raleigh run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $61,880 goes as far as $65,620 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,880as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,620US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,880 a year, 1.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,690 to $85,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,540 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $60,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Raleigh, NC?
The median annual wage is $61,880, or $29.75 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in Raleigh, NC is 1.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Raleigh, NC earns more than $85,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,690 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fayetteville, at $60,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,540 jobs in this occupation in Raleigh, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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