Lawyer Salary

Hazleton vs Pittsburgh: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Hazleton, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hazleton, PA
$118,551
$57.00/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$139,293
$66.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHazleton, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$118,551$139,293
Hourly Rate$57.00$66.97
Entry Level (P10)$68,760$68,285
25th Percentile$85,357$88,587
75th Percentile$151,745$213,420
Top Earner (P90)$183,754$322,476
Total Employed75,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hazleton ($118,551) and Pittsburgh ($139,293) lawyer salaries.HazletonPittsburghMedian Salary$118,551$139,293Entry Level (P10)$68,760$68,285Top Earner (P90)$183,754$322,476US Median $167,174

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hazleton.

The salary gap between Hazleton and Pittsburgh is $20,742 (17.50%). Pittsburgh's median is -16.68% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hazleton spans $114,994,Pittsburgh spans $254,191. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Hazleton
P10 (Entry)$68,760
P25$85,357
Median$118,551
P75$151,745
P90 (Top)$183,754
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$68,285
P25$88,587
Median$139,293
P75$213,420
P90 (Top)$322,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($147,134 effective) pays 20.88% more than Hazleton ($121,716 effective).

Hazleton
Nominal: $118,551
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $121,716
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $139,293
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $147,134

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hazleton if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,293/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($322,476)
  • Larger job market (5,550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,134)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Hazleton grew -19.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Hazleton, PA

+-19.1%

$139,889 (2024) → $113,229 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+10.5%

$120,370 (2019) → $133,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Hazleton or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median lawyer salary at $139,293/year, compared to Hazleton at $118,551/year — a difference of $20,742 (17.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hazleton and Pittsburgh?

Hazleton lawyers earn $57.00/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $66.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hazleton to Pittsburgh as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hazleton and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hazleton = $121,716, Pittsburgh = $147,134), job availability (7 vs 5,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Hazleton vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $68,760 in Hazleton and $68,285 in Pittsburgh. The Hazleton 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