Lawyer Salary

Daphne vs Montgomery: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Daphne, AL and Montgomery, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Daphne, AL
$83,854
$40.31/hr
Montgomery, AL
$131,179
$63.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDaphne, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$83,854$131,179
Hourly Rate$40.31$63.07
Entry Level (P10)$66,202$74,745
25th Percentile$67,626$96,104
75th Percentile$138,089$173,676
Top Earner (P90)$228,497$224,917
Total Employed180960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Daphne ($83,854) and Montgomery ($131,179) lawyer salaries.DaphneMontgomeryMedian Salary$83,854$131,179Entry Level (P10)$66,202$74,745Top Earner (P90)$228,497$224,917US Median $167,174

Verdict

Montgomery, AL offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Daphne.

The salary gap between Daphne and Montgomery is $47,325 (56.44%). Montgomery's median is -21.53% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Daphne spans $162,295,Montgomery spans $150,172. Daphne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Daphne
P10 (Entry)$66,202
P25$67,626
Median$83,854
P75$138,089
P90 (Top)$228,497
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$74,745
P25$96,104
Median$131,179
P75$173,676
P90 (Top)$224,917

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montgomery ($146,271 effective) pays 65.17% more than Daphne ($88,556 effective).

Daphne
Nominal: $83,854
CoL Index: 94.69
Adjusted: $88,556
Montgomery
Nominal: $131,179
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $146,271

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Daphne if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($228,497)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,179/year)
  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,271)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Daphne grew 31.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.3% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Daphne, AL

+31.3%

$61,000 (2020) → $80,090 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+14.3%

$109,650 (2019) → $125,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Daphne or Montgomery?

Montgomery has a higher median lawyer salary at $131,179/year, compared to Daphne at $83,854/year — a difference of $47,325 (56.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Daphne and Montgomery?

Daphne lawyers earn $40.31/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $63.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Daphne to Montgomery as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Daphne and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Daphne = $88,556, Montgomery = $146,271), job availability (180 vs 960 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Daphne vs Montgomery?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $66,202 in Daphne and $74,745 in Montgomery. The Montgomery 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