Lawyer Salary

Liberty vs St. Louis: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Liberty, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberty, MO
$103,779
$49.89/hr
St. Louis, MO
$149,396
$71.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberty, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$103,779$149,396
Hourly Rate$49.89$71.82
Entry Level (P10)$60,192$70,777
25th Percentile$74,720$99,779
75th Percentile$132,837$217,849
Top Earner (P90)$160,857$321,063
Total Employed56,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberty ($103,779) and St. Louis ($149,396) lawyer salaries.LibertySt. LouisMedian Salary$103,779$149,396Entry Level (P10)$60,192$70,777Top Earner (P90)$160,857$321,063US Median $167,174

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberty.

The salary gap between Liberty and St. Louis is $45,617 (43.96%). St. Louis's median is -10.63% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberty spans $100,665,St. Louis spans $250,286. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Liberty
P10 (Entry)$60,192
P25$74,720
Median$103,779
P75$132,837
P90 (Top)$160,857
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$70,777
P25$99,779
Median$149,396
P75$217,849
P90 (Top)$321,063

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($157,113 effective) pays 35.65% more than Liberty ($115,825 effective).

Liberty
Nominal: $103,779
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $115,825
St. Louis
Nominal: $149,396
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $157,113

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($149,396/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($321,063)
  • Larger job market (6,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $157,113)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Liberty grew -12.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.5% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Liberty, MO

+-12.3%

$113,023 (2024) → $99,120 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+45.5%

$98,050 (2019) → $142,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Liberty or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median lawyer salary at $149,396/year, compared to Liberty at $103,779/year — a difference of $45,617 (43.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberty and St. Louis?

Liberty lawyers earn $49.89/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $71.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberty to St. Louis as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberty and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberty = $115,825, St. Louis = $157,113), job availability (5 vs 6,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Liberty vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $60,192 in Liberty and $70,777 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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