Legal trends
How Much Should I Charge as a Lawyer in North Carolina?
Compare hourly rates in North Carolina to national averages and other states.
Average hourly rates for lawyers, non-lawyers, and law firms in North Carolina are based on aggregated and anonymized data from tens of thousands of legal professionals across the U.S. This data is updated annually and published with additional research and analysis in Clio’s Legal Trends Report.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2026, the average hourly rate for a lawyer in North Carolina is $328, compared to $362 in the US. Based on practice area, rates in North Carolina can range from $77 to $441.
- As of 2026, the average hourly rate for non-lawyers in North Carolina is $174, compared to $194 in the US. Nationally, non-lawyer rates range from $116 to $320 depending on practice area.
- The average hourly rate that law firms charge in North Carolina is $287 (compared to $323 in the US), which is a blended rate that takes into account both lawyer and non-lawyer rates. Nationally, law firm rates range from $132 to $451 depending on practice area.
Read the latest Legal Trends Report
All of Clio’s research is published annually in the Legal Trends Report, which features in-depth analysis on the latest trends in AI technology and adoption, consumer perspectives on legal services, and this year, a first-of-its kind neurological study of legal professionals.
Hourly rates for legal services in North Carolina
Compare average hourly rates for lawyers, non-lawyers, and law firms in North Carolina. “Non-lawyer” rates refer to non-licensed legal professionals like paralegals and other firm administrative staff. “Law firm” rates are a blended average of lawyer and non-lawyer rates.
| Average | Average lawyer hourly rate | Average non-lawyer hourly rate | Average law firm hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina average | $328 | $174 | $287 |
| Highest state average | $506 | $260 | $464 |
| Lowest state average | $205 | $123 | $195 |
| U.S. average | $362 | $194 | $323 |
Updated October 2026.
Hourly rates for legal services by practice area in North Carolina
In North Carolina, hourly rates differ based on the types of services and practice areas offered by lawyers and their law firms.
| Practice area | Average lawyer hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Administrative Law | $348 |
| Appellate | $189 |
| Bankruptcy | $388 |
| Business Formation / Compliance | $376 |
| Civil Litigation | $328 |
| Civil Rights / Constitutional Law | Currently unavailable |
| Collections & Debt | $302 |
| Commercial / Sale of Goods | $383 |
| Construction | $363 |
| Contracts | $356 |
| Corporate Litigation | $401 |
| Criminal | $148 |
| Elder Law | $263 |
| Employment / Labor | $376 |
| Family | $325 |
| Government | $274 |
| Immigration | $305 |
| Insurance | $181 |
| Intellectual Property | $425 |
| Juvenile | $77 |
| Mediation / Arbitration | $348 |
| Medical Malpractice | Currently unavailable |
| Other | $292 |
| Personal Injury | $382 |
| Real Estate | $393 |
| Small Claims | $303 |
| Tax | $413 |
| Traffic Offenses | $360 |
| Trusts | $441 |
| Wills & Estates | $388 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $208 |
Updated October 2026.
Key performance indicators in North Carolina
Key performance indicators (KPIs) offer valuable insights into a firm’s performance in North Carolina. This information helps lawyers understand how they and their employees are contributing to revenue generation, and can be instrumental in identifying areas for continuous improvement.
| Measure | Utilization rate | Realization rate | Collection rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | How many hours individual lawyers put towards revenue-generating work. | How much revenue-generating work is billed to a client after discounts or canceled fees. | How much invoiced work gets paid to a law firm. |
| North Carolina average | 32% | 88% | 90% |
| U.S. average | 42% | 90% | 92% |
Updated October 2026.
Historical hourly rates in North Carolina
| Year | Average lawyer hourly rate | Average non-lawyer hourly rate | Average law firm hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $328 | $174 | $287 |
| 2025 | $312 | $164 | $275 |
| 2024 | $295 | $158 | $271 |
| 2023 | $254 | $132 | $229 |
| 2022 | $262 | $136 | $237 |
Updated October 2026.
Adjusted hourly rates in North Carolina
In addition to hourly rates, cost of living standards in North Carolina can affect overall purchasing power. Adjusted hourly rates take into account average consumer prices, and are calculated as follows.
| Year | Adjusted lawyer hourly rate | Adjusted non-lawyer hourly rate | Adjusted law firm hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $348 | $184 | $304 |
| 2025 | $331 | $174 | $291 |
| 2024 | $313 | $168 | $288 |
| 2023 | $271 | $141 | $245 |
| 2022 | $286 | $148 | $258 |
Updated October 2026.
FAQ
Lawyer hourly rates in North Carolina
What is the hourly rate of a lawyer in North Carolina?
The hourly rate for a lawyer in North Carolina is between $77 and $441 per hour, with the average being $328.
How much does a family lawyer charge in North Carolina?
The average hourly rate for a family lawyer in North Carolina is $325 per hour.
How much does a civil litigation lawyer charge in North Carolina?
The average hourly rate for a civil litigation lawyer in North Carolina is $328 per hour.
How much does a criminal lawyer charge in North Carolina?
The average hourly rate for a criminal lawyer in North Carolina is $148 per hour.
What is the highest paid type of lawyer in North Carolina?
Trusts attorneys are the highest paid type of lawyer in North Carolina, earning $441 per hour on average.
What is the lowest paid type of lawyer in North Carolina?
Juvenile attorneys are the lowest paid type of lawyer in North Carolina, earning $77 per hour on average.