salary$132,790 a year$64 an hour · median pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$61,390per year
Top pay (top 10%)$333,510per year
Jobs in the area1,220people work this job
Can a lawyer afford Durham?
Cheap. Rent of $1,797 a month takes 16.2% of the median lawyer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Lawyer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Durham
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Durham, NC?
The median pay for a lawyer in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC area is $132,790 a year ($64 an hour). Most earn between $61,390 and $333,510.
Can a lawyer afford to live in Durham?
Typical rent of $1,797 a month takes 16.2% of the median lawyer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area.