Entry-Level Lawyer Salary in Everett, MA: $73,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:New lawyers entering the Everett, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,339 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 23-1011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Everett's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,594 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,446) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Everett, Massachusetts offers a starting pay for entry-level lawyers that begins at approximately $73,339, which may feel modest when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $126,446. New graduates can realistically expect their earnings to gradually increase as they gain experience, with a shift from entry-level salaries toward the 25th percentile at $91,041 within the first few years. This growth trajectory showcases the potential for young legal professionals in the city, as they can advance toward more competitive earnings over the first three to five years in the profession. With its projected growth rate of 4.70%, Everett currently presents a favorable job market for new law school graduates, making it an attractive entry point into the legal field in MA.
About the Everett Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($182,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Everett
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Everett
Entry-level lawyers in Everett, MA typically start between $73,339 and $91,041 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $122,653 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,446 — 24.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average legal practice program cost in Massachusetts of $285,000 represents just 388.61% of the starting lawyer pay ($73,339/year) in Everett. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect combined undergraduate tuition plus ABA-accredited law school tuition. Costs vary significantly between public in-state, public out-of-state, and private law schools. Figures exclude living expenses and bar exam costs.
Esq Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Everett
- 1Research the Everett market: entry-level lawyer pay ranges from $73,339 to $91,041, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the legal practice field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Everett, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Everett for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Everett's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Lawyer Compensation Range
The lawyer wage spread in Everett is $122,653 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,339, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,992.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,340
2025 BLS Actual
$70,047
2026 Current Est.
$73,339
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Everett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,418 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,786 | Projected |
Entry-level lawyer compensation (10th percentile) in Everett, MA grew 31.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,340 in 2019 to $70,047 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,786. New graduates entering the Everett job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Everett metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your legal practice Career in Everett
As young legal practitioners embark on their careers in Everett, several employment prospects exist for new grads. Large firms often rely on on-campus interviews to recruit top talents from leading law schools, while mid-size and regional firms may have structured summer associate programs to nurture emerging lawyers. Government positions, though typically less lucrative, offer stability and student loan forgiveness options, appealing to those interested in public service. It’s also critical for new lawyers to climb the pay scale by completing the necessary credentials, such as passing the state bar exam and considering further specialization through an LL.M. Candidates should strategically weigh their options between BigLaw firms—which present high starting salaries but demanding hours—and more manageable environments like mid-market firms or in-house positions. Although the salary may begin lower than in larger markets, Everett's legal landscape still provides promising career trajectories over the initial years.
More salary data for Everett, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new legal practice graduates. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Everett. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Everett is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov