Lawyers Salary in Massachusetts
Lawyers in Massachusetts earn a median annual wage of $176,680 —10.7% above the national median of $159,670. That ranks MA #4 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.33× as concentrated as the national average, making Massachusetts a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for lawyers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Massachusetts is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $207,860 | $99.93 | 91,870 | 1.95 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | 33,070 | 9.71 |
| 3 | California | $195,080 | $93.79 | 95,770 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 | $84.94 | 23,560 | 1.33 |
| 5 | Delaware | $173,510 | $83.42 | 2,920 | 1.24 |
| 6 | Colorado | $168,520 | $81.02 | 16,720 | 1.20 |
| 7 | Virginia | $167,210 | $80.39 | 18,580 | 0.93 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $163,600 | $78.66 | 8,420 | 1.02 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $161,430 | $77.61 | 23,160 | 1.11 |
| 10 | Illinois | $160,800 | $77.31 | 33,590 | 1.14 |
Related occupations in Massachusetts
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Massachusetts.
| Occupation | Massachusetts median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,640 | $62,890 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $69,100 | $58,650 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,830 | $72,110 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $221,710 | $153,990 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $113,750 | $117,860 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $143,350 | $64,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do lawyers make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for lawyers in Massachusetts is $176,680, or $84.94 per hour. That is 10.7% above the national median of $159,670.
What is the entry-level lawyers salary in Massachusetts?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $82,100 per year ($39.47/hour). The 25th percentile is $119,960.
How many people work as lawyers in Massachusetts?
About 23,560 people work in this occupation in Massachusetts, or 6.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Massachusetts a good state for lawyers?
Massachusetts ranks #4 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.33x as concentrated as the national average, making Massachusetts a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays lawyers the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $207,860 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($195,190) and California ($195,080).