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

Lawyer Salary in New Jersey

Median Annual in New Jersey
$161,430/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$77.61/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in New Jersey

groups Employed in NJ
23,160
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$148,366 #15 of 51

Lawyer pay in New Jersey, explained

Lawyers in New Jersey earn a median of $161,430 per year ($77.61 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $93,810, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $328,270. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within New Jersey.

Is $161,430 good pay in New Jersey?

Adjusted for New Jersey's cost of living (which runs 109% of the U.S. average), that $161,430 is worth about $148,366 in national buying power — ranking New Jersey #15 for real pay (vs #9 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in New Jersey

Entry level (10th pct)
$93,810
$45.10/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$161,430
$77.61/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$328,270
$157.82/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NJ
New Jersey (here) $161,430 $148,366
New York $207,860 $192,604 −$46,430
Delaware $173,510 $173,844 −$12,080
Pennsylvania $157,180 $161,091 +$4,250

Lawyer in New Jersey: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in New Jersey?

Lawyers in New Jersey earn a median of $161,430 per year ($77.61 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does New Jersey pay lawyers well?

At $161,430, New Jersey pays 1% above the national median for lawyers. An estimated 23,160 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in New Jersey