Entry-Level Lawyer Salary in Weymouth, MA: $74,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:New lawyers entering the Weymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,538 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 23-1011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Weymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,699 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,513) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates seeking entry-level attorney positions in Weymouth, Massachusetts, should anticipate a starting salary around $74,538 in 2026. This figure suggests a significant gap between initial pay and the city's median annual salary of $128,513, which offers a clear insight into the potential salary progression as one gains experience. Over the first three to five years, early-career lawyers can expect their pay to rise gradually, with a likely salary jumping to approximately $92,530 by the 25th percentile. Despite the disparity when compared to both local levels and the national median of $167,174, Weymouth remains a viable market for new law graduates, especially given the ongoing projected growth rate of 4.70% in the legal sector.
About the Weymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($182,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Weymouth
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 Weymouth
Entry-level lawyers in Weymouth, MA typically start between $74,538 and $92,530 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $124,657 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,513 — 23.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average legal practice program cost in Massachusetts of $285,000 represents just 382.36% of the starting lawyer pay ($74,538/year) in Weymouth. 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 Weymouth
- 1Research the Weymouth market: entry-level lawyer pay ranges from $74,538 to $92,530, 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 Weymouth, 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 Weymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Weymouth'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 Weymouth is $124,657 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,538, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,195.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,212
2025 BLS Actual
$71,192
2026 Current Est.
$74,538
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Weymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,865 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,783 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,379 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,041 | Projected |
Entry-level lawyer compensation (10th percentile) in Weymouth, MA grew 31.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,212 in 2019 to $71,192 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,041. New graduates entering the Weymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Weymouth 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 Weymouth
In Weymouth, employers that commonly hire new graduates include small firms and solo practitioners, as well as mid-sized firms actively seeking summer associates who often advance to full-time roles. While large firms, or BigLaw, focus on top-tier law schools and often recruit via on-campus interviews, those aiming for government positions can explore opportunities with agencies such as the Department of Justice or local attorney general offices through dedicated honors programs. Credentials such as passing the state bar and completing a JD from an ABA-accredited school are essential for a competitive edge in this market. Though the starting lawyer salary in Weymouth may not align with the Cravath-scale of $225,000 seen in top-tier firms, it offers more manageable hours and a balanced lifestyle. New attorneys should prepare for realistic salary growth in their initial years, particularly as they navigate their career paths, whether in public interest roles that often provide loan forgiveness options or in the private sector, where pay ranges vary from $80,000 to $160,000.
More salary data for Weymouth, 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 Weymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Weymouth 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