Lawyer Salary

Cincinnati vs Middletown: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Middletown, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$137,136
$65.93/hr
Middletown, OH
$113,160
$54.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHMiddletown, OH
Median Salary$137,136$113,160
Hourly Rate$65.93$54.40
Entry Level (P10)$76,075$65,632
25th Percentile$99,633$81,475
75th Percentile$207,306$144,844
Top Earner (P90)$293,610$175,398
Total Employed3,8709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($137,136) and Middletown ($113,160) lawyer salaries.CincinnatiMiddletownMedian Salary$137,136$113,160Entry Level (P10)$76,075$65,632Top Earner (P90)$293,610$175,398US Median $167,174

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Middletown is $23,976 (21.19%). Cincinnati's median is -17.97% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $217,535,Middletown spans $109,766. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$76,075
P25$99,633
Median$137,136
P75$207,306
P90 (Top)$293,610
Middletown
P10 (Entry)$65,632
P25$81,475
Median$113,160
P75$144,844
P90 (Top)$175,398

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($143,794 effective) pays 15.25% more than Middletown ($124,763 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $137,136
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $143,794
Middletown
Nominal: $113,160
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $124,763

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,136/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($293,610)
  • Larger job market (3,870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,794)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Middletown if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Cincinnati grew 8.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Middletown over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+8.1%

$121,130 (2019) → $130,980 (2025)

Middletown, OH

+-8.9%

$118,664 (2024) → $108,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Cincinnati or Middletown?

Cincinnati has a higher median lawyer salary at $137,136/year, compared to Middletown at $113,160/year — a difference of $23,976 (21.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Middletown?

Cincinnati lawyers earn $65.93/hr while Middletown hygienists earn $54.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Middletown as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Middletown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $143,794, Middletown = $124,763), job availability (3,870 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Cincinnati vs Middletown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $76,075 in Cincinnati and $65,632 in Middletown. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov