verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Massachusetts

Median Annual in Massachusetts
$176,680/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$84.94/hr
▲ 11% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Massachusetts

groups Employed in MA
23,560
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$167,062 #5 of 51

Lawyer pay in Massachusetts, explained

Lawyers in Massachusetts earn a median of $176,680 per year ($84.94 per hour), which is 11% above the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $82,100, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $374,410. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Massachusetts.

Is $176,680 good pay in Massachusetts?

Adjusted for Massachusetts's cost of living (which runs 106% of the U.S. average), that $176,680 is worth about $167,062 in national buying power — ranking Massachusetts #5 for real pay (vs #4 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Massachusetts

Entry level (10th pct)
$82,100
$39.47/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$176,680
$84.94/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$374,410
$180.00/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs MA
Massachusetts (here) $176,680 $167,062
New York $207,860 $192,604 −$31,180
Connecticut $163,600 $157,900 +$13,080
Rhode Island $138,960 $135,862 +$37,720
Vermont $127,310 $129,964 +$49,370
New Hampshire $120,810 $115,979 +$55,870

Lawyer in Massachusetts: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Massachusetts?

Lawyers in Massachusetts earn a median of $176,680 per year ($84.94 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Massachusetts pay lawyers well?

At $176,680, Massachusetts pays 11% above the national median for lawyers. An estimated 23,560 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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