Lawyer Salary

Minneapolis vs Richfield: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Richfield, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$167,122
$80.35/hr
Richfield, MN
$130,366
$62.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNRichfield, MN
Median Salary$167,122$130,366
Hourly Rate$80.35$62.67
Entry Level (P10)$89,843$75,612
25th Percentile$122,352$93,864
75th Percentile$230,036$166,869
Top Earner (P90)$368,764$202,068
Total Employed10,1609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($167,122) and Richfield ($130,366) lawyer salaries.MinneapolisRichfieldMedian Salary$167,122$130,366Entry Level (P10)$89,843$75,612Top Earner (P90)$368,764$202,068US Median $167,174

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richfield.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Richfield is $36,756 (28.19%). Minneapolis's median is -0.03% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $278,921,Richfield spans $126,456. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$89,843
P25$122,352
Median$167,122
P75$230,036
P90 (Top)$368,764
Richfield
P10 (Entry)$75,612
P25$93,864
Median$130,366
P75$166,869
P90 (Top)$202,068

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($159,434 effective) pays 20.46% more than Richfield ($132,351 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $167,122
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $159,434
Richfield
Nominal: $130,366
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $132,351

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,122/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($368,764)
  • Larger job market (10,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $159,434)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Richfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Minneapolis grew 37.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.3% growth in Richfield over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+37.8%

$115,870 (2019) → $159,620 (2025)

Richfield, MN

+-11.3%

$140,417 (2024) → $124,514 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Minneapolis or Richfield?

Minneapolis has a higher median lawyer salary at $167,122/year, compared to Richfield at $130,366/year — a difference of $36,756 (28.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Richfield?

Minneapolis lawyers earn $80.35/hr while Richfield hygienists earn $62.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Richfield as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Richfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $159,434, Richfield = $132,351), job availability (10,160 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Minneapolis vs Richfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $89,843 in Minneapolis and $75,612 in Richfield. The Minneapolis 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