Lawyer Salary

Plymouth vs Worcester: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Plymouth, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plymouth, MA
$129,655
$62.34/hr
Worcester, MA
$135,482
$65.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlymouth, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$129,655$135,482
Hourly Rate$62.34$65.13
Entry Level (P10)$75,200$67,751
25th Percentile$93,352$87,456
75th Percentile$165,959$208,060
Top Earner (P90)$200,965$321,481
Total Employed91,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plymouth ($129,655) and Worcester ($135,482) lawyer salaries.PlymouthWorcesterMedian Salary$129,655$135,482Entry Level (P10)$75,200$67,751Top Earner (P90)$200,965$321,481US Median $167,174

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plymouth.

The salary gap between Plymouth and Worcester is $5,827 (4.49%). Worcester's median is -18.96% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plymouth spans $125,765,Worcester spans $253,730. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Plymouth
P10 (Entry)$75,200
P25$93,352
Median$129,655
P75$165,959
P90 (Top)$200,965
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$67,751
P25$87,456
Median$135,482
P75$208,060
P90 (Top)$321,481

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($132,148 effective) pays 10.59% more than Plymouth ($119,498 effective).

Plymouth
Nominal: $129,655
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $119,498
Worcester
Nominal: $135,482
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $132,148

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plymouth if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,482/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($321,481)
  • Larger job market (1,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,148)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Plymouth grew -37.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Plymouth, MA

+-37.7%

$198,819 (2024) → $123,835 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+28.8%

$100,450 (2019) → $129,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Plymouth or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median lawyer salary at $135,482/year, compared to Plymouth at $129,655/year — a difference of $5,827 (4.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plymouth and Worcester?

Plymouth lawyers earn $62.34/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $65.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plymouth to Worcester as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plymouth and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plymouth = $119,498, Worcester = $132,148), job availability (9 vs 1,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Plymouth vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $75,200 in Plymouth and $67,751 in Worcester. The Plymouth 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