Immigration Attorney Salary in Raleigh, NC: 2026
Immigration Attorney salary data for Raleigh, NC, adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The estimated median Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh, NC is $98,940 per year ($8,245/month, $48/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark by the local cost of living index of 102, which is 2% above the national average.
All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by Raleigh's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.
Immigration Attorney Take-Home Pay in Raleigh
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $98,940 |
| Federal Tax | -$12,937 |
| State Tax (3.5% eff.) | -$3,439 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$7,569 |
| Annual Take-Home | $74,995 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $6,250 |
Living Cost Comparison
Immigration Attorney Requirements
Key Skills
Raleigh Job Market Overview
Raleigh, North Carolina has a population of 467,665 and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. The top industries are Technology, Government, Education. The local job growth rate is 3.0%, and the average commute time is 24minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.
Related Legal Salaries in Raleigh
Immigration Attorney Salary in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown: Immigration Attorney in Raleigh
Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Immigration Attorney in Raleigh, NC, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $62,220 | $30/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $80,580 | $39/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $98,940 | $48/hr | Mid-career, 2-5 years |
| 75th | $131,580 | $63/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $171,360 | $82/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Raleigh's Technology sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Salario's national dataset models approximately 15.0% salary growth for Immigration Attorneys over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the Raleigh estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:
Year-over-year, an average Immigration Attorney can expect a 13.3% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 6 years in Raleigh. Negotiation, certifications (Bar Admission, AILA Membership), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Raleigh vs National Average
The national median Immigration Attorney salary is $97,000 (Salario estimate). In Raleigh, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $98,940 is 2.0% above the national figure. This reflects Raleigh's cost of living index of 102 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Immigration Attorneys, this means: rent typically consumes 24.0% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Raleigh costs about 5.1× annual take-home. Homeownership in Raleigh on this salary is challenging, most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Technology in Raleigh
Raleigh's economy is anchored by Technology, Government, Education, with 467,665 residents and an unemployment rate of 2.8% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Immigration Attorneys can differ by sector, so compare Technology employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 3.0%, and Salario's job dataset lists a 8.0% growth outlook for Immigration Attorney roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Immigration Attorney salaries in Raleigh, NC:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Raleigh index of 102 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), NC 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 4.0%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine, occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation data (CPI measures price changes, not city-to-city price levels)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Raleigh QuickFacts, population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, official local unemployment rates to verify the Raleigh figure above
Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Immigration Attorney salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Technology vs others in Raleigh), specific skill set (Immigration Law, USCIS Procedures, Visa Applications), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh, NC?
How much does a Immigration Attorney take home in Raleigh after taxes?
Is Raleigh a good city for Immigration Attorneys?
What skills are needed for a Immigration Attorney in Raleigh?
How does Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh compare to the national average?
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay
Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.
Calculate NowExplore More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh, NC?
Salario estimates the median Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh, NC at $98,940 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Immigration Attorney benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 102, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $62,220, and the senior estimate is $131,580 or more.
How much does a Immigration Attorney take home in Raleigh after taxes?
A Immigration Attorney earning the median salary of $98,940 in Raleigh, NC takes home approximately $74,995 per year ($6,250/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 24.2%.
Is Raleigh a good city for Immigration Attorneys?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 102 (above national average). Immigration Attorneys here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 2.8% and top industries include Technology, Government, Education.
What skills are needed for a Immigration Attorney in Raleigh?
Key skills for Immigration Attorneys include Immigration Law, USCIS Procedures, Visa Applications, Deportation Defense, Asylum Law. Typical education requirement is Juris Doctor (JD). Valuable certifications include Bar Admission, AILA Membership.
How does Immigration Attorney salary in Raleigh compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Immigration Attorney is $97,000. In Raleigh, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $98,940, which is 2.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.