Lawyer Salary

Nogales vs Tucson: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Nogales, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nogales, AZ
$124,990
$60.09/hr
Tucson, AZ
$112,563
$54.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNogales, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$124,990$112,563
Hourly Rate$60.09$54.12
Entry Level (P10)$72,494$67,322
25th Percentile$89,993$103,967
75th Percentile$159,987$177,173
Top Earner (P90)$193,734$228,801
Total Employed51,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nogales ($124,990) and Tucson ($112,563) lawyer salaries.NogalesTucsonMedian Salary$124,990$112,563Entry Level (P10)$72,494$67,322Top Earner (P90)$193,734$228,801US Median $167,174

Verdict

Nogales and Tucson are closely matched on overall lawyer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Nogales and Tucson is $12,427 (11.04%). Nogales's median is -25.23% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nogales spans $121,240,Tucson spans $161,479. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Nogales
P10 (Entry)$72,494
P25$89,993
Median$124,990
P75$159,987
P90 (Top)$193,734
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$67,322
P25$103,967
Median$112,563
P75$177,173
P90 (Top)$228,801

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nogales ($126,893 effective) pays 9.23% more than Tucson ($116,169 effective).

Nogales
Nominal: $124,990
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $126,893
Tucson
Nominal: $112,563
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $116,169

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nogales if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,990/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,893)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($228,801)
  • Larger job market (1,690 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Nogales grew -6.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.4% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Nogales, AZ

+-6.8%

$128,045 (2024) → $119,379 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+18.4%

$90,790 (2019) → $107,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Nogales or Tucson?

Nogales has a higher median lawyer salary at $124,990/year, compared to Tucson at $112,563/year — a difference of $12,427 (11.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nogales and Tucson?

Nogales lawyers earn $60.09/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $54.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nogales to Tucson as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nogales and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nogales = $126,893, Tucson = $116,169), job availability (5 vs 1,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Nogales vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $72,494 in Nogales and $67,322 in Tucson. The Nogales 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