Lawyers Salary in New York
Lawyers in New York earn a median annual wage of $207,860 —30.2% above the national median of $159,670. That ranks NY #1 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 1.95× as concentrated as the national average, making New York a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for lawyers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New York 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 New York
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New York.
| Occupation | New York median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $68,410 | $62,890 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $61,380 | $58,650 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $76,520 | $72,110 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $216,390 | $153,990 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $123,170 | $117,860 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $133,320 | $64,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do lawyers make in New York?
The median annual wage for lawyers in New York is $207,860, or $99.93 per hour. That is 30.2% above the national median of $159,670.
What is the entry-level lawyers salary in New York?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $85,200 per year ($40.96/hour). The 25th percentile is $127,580.
How many people work as lawyers in New York?
About 91,870 people work in this occupation in New York, or 9.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New York a good state for lawyers?
New York ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.95x as concentrated as the national average, making New York 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).