Lawyer Salary

Fort Wayne vs Westfield: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Westfield, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$132,466
$63.69/hr
Westfield, IN
$108,148
$51.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INWestfield, IN
Median Salary$132,466$108,148
Hourly Rate$63.69$51.99
Entry Level (P10)$80,273$62,726
25th Percentile$100,795$77,866
75th Percentile$188,816$138,429
Top Earner (P90)$310,394$167,629
Total Employed5109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($132,466) and Westfield ($108,148) lawyer salaries.Fort WayneWestfieldMedian Salary$132,466$108,148Entry Level (P10)$80,273$62,726Top Earner (P90)$310,394$167,629US Median $167,174

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Westfield.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Westfield is $24,318 (22.49%). Fort Wayne's median is -20.76% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $230,121,Westfield spans $104,903. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$80,273
P25$100,795
Median$132,466
P75$188,816
P90 (Top)$310,394
Westfield
P10 (Entry)$62,726
P25$77,866
Median$108,148
P75$138,429
P90 (Top)$167,629

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($143,095 effective) pays 20.80% more than Westfield ($118,453 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $132,466
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $143,095
Westfield
Nominal: $108,148
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $118,453

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,466/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($310,394)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,095)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Westfield if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Fort Wayne grew -5.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.9% growth in Westfield over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+-5.3%

$133,550 (2019) → $126,520 (2025)

Westfield, IN

+-7.9%

$112,211 (2024) → $103,293 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Fort Wayne or Westfield?

Fort Wayne has a higher median lawyer salary at $132,466/year, compared to Westfield at $108,148/year — a difference of $24,318 (22.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Westfield?

Fort Wayne lawyers earn $63.69/hr while Westfield hygienists earn $51.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Westfield as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Westfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $143,095, Westfield = $118,453), job availability (510 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Fort Wayne vs Westfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $80,273 in Fort Wayne and $62,726 in Westfield. The Fort Wayne area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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