Lawyer Salary

Kingston vs New York: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Kingston, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingston, NY
$120,698
$58.02/hr
New York, NY
$218,697
$105.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingston, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$120,698$218,697
Hourly Rate$58.02$105.14
Entry Level (P10)$89,225$98,491
25th Percentile$106,888$137,408
75th Percentile$170,368$339,553
Top Earner (P90)$250,254$410,026
Total Employed22094,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingston ($120,698) and New York ($218,697) lawyer salaries.KingstonNew YorkMedian Salary$120,698$218,697Entry Level (P10)$89,225$98,491Top Earner (P90)$250,254$410,026US Median $167,174

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingston.

The salary gap between Kingston and New York is $97,999 (81.19%). New York's median is +30.82% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingston spans $161,029,New York spans $311,535. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Kingston
P10 (Entry)$89,225
P25$106,888
Median$120,698
P75$170,368
P90 (Top)$250,254
New York
P10 (Entry)$98,491
P25$137,408
Median$218,697
P75$339,553
P90 (Top)$410,026

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($194,289 effective) pays 62.11% more than Kingston ($119,848 effective).

Kingston
Nominal: $120,698
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $119,848
New York
Nominal: $218,697
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $194,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingston if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($218,697/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($410,026)
  • Larger job market (94,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $194,289)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Kingston grew 21.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 34.7% growth in New York over the same period.

Kingston, NY

+21.1%

$95,200 (2021) → $115,280 (2025)

New York, NY

+34.7%

$155,020 (2019) → $208,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Kingston or New York?

New York has a higher median lawyer salary at $218,697/year, compared to Kingston at $120,698/year — a difference of $97,999 (81.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingston and New York?

Kingston lawyers earn $58.02/hr while New York hygienists earn $105.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingston to New York as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingston and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingston = $119,848, New York = $194,289), job availability (220 vs 94,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Kingston vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $89,225 in Kingston and $98,491 in New York. The New York 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