Lawyer Salary

Cleveland vs Gahanna: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$141,010
$67.79/hr
Gahanna, OH
$112,725
$54.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHGahanna, OH
Median Salary$141,010$112,725
Hourly Rate$67.79$54.19
Entry Level (P10)$79,300$65,381
25th Percentile$104,407$81,162
75th Percentile$211,295$144,288
Top Earner (P90)$295,013$174,724
Total Employed5,5409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($141,010) and Gahanna ($112,725) lawyer salaries.ClevelandGahannaMedian Salary$141,010$112,725Entry Level (P10)$79,300$65,381Top Earner (P90)$295,013$174,724US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Gahanna is $28,285 (25.09%). Cleveland's median is -15.65% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $215,713,Gahanna spans $109,343. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$79,300
P25$104,407
Median$141,010
P75$211,295
P90 (Top)$295,013
Gahanna
P10 (Entry)$65,381
P25$81,162
Median$112,725
P75$144,288
P90 (Top)$174,724

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($150,134 effective) pays 20.80% more than Gahanna ($124,283 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $141,010
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $150,134
Gahanna
Nominal: $112,725
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $124,283

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,010/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($295,013)
  • Larger job market (5,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,134)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Gahanna if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Cleveland grew 25.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Gahanna over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+25.6%

$107,250 (2019) → $134,680 (2025)

Gahanna, OH

+-8.9%

$118,209 (2024) → $107,665 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Cleveland or Gahanna?

Cleveland has a higher median lawyer salary at $141,010/year, compared to Gahanna at $112,725/year — a difference of $28,285 (25.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Gahanna?

Cleveland lawyers earn $67.79/hr while Gahanna hygienists earn $54.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Gahanna as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Gahanna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $150,134, Gahanna = $124,283), job availability (5,540 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Cleveland vs Gahanna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $79,300 in Cleveland and $65,381 in Gahanna. The Cleveland area offers higher starting salaries.

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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