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

Lawyer Salary in New York

Median Annual in New York
$207,860/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$99.93/hr
▲ 30% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in New York

groups Employed in NY
91,870
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$192,604 #1 of 51

Lawyer pay in New York, explained

Lawyers in New York earn a median of $207,860 per year ($99.93 per hour), which is 30% above the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $85,200, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $391,420. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within New York.

Is $207,860 good pay in New York?

Adjusted for New York's cost of living (which runs 108% of the U.S. average), that $207,860 is worth about $192,604 in national buying power — ranking New York #1 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in New York

Entry level (10th pct)
$85,200
$40.96/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$207,860
$99.93/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$391,420
$188.18/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NY
New York (here) $207,860 $192,604
Massachusetts $176,680 $167,062 +$31,180
Connecticut $163,600 $157,900 +$44,260
New Jersey $161,430 $148,366 +$46,430
Pennsylvania $157,180 $161,091 +$50,680
Vermont $127,310 $129,964 +$80,550

Lawyer in New York: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in New York?

Lawyers in New York earn a median of $207,860 per year ($99.93 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does New York pay lawyers well?

At $207,860, New York pays 30% above the national median for lawyers. An estimated 91,870 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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