Lawyer Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $161,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $161,584/year (≈ $77.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $161,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.8% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flagstaff, Arizona, the projected median salary for lawyers stands at $161,584 for 2026, presenting a significant opportunity within the legal market. With a salary range extending from $84,650 at the lower decile to $226,613 at the upper decile, the variation in pay reflects the diverse landscape of legal practice in the area. Data from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicates that while Flagstaff's lawyer salaries are slightly below the national median of $167,174, the market demonstrates a healthy growth rate of 4.70% annually. The legal profession here allows for earning potential shaped by one’s experience and the type of firm—whether it's BigLaw, mid-size, or small firms—creating distinct career pathways for local lawyers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,909 | $51.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,584 | $77.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,052 | $89.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,613 | $108.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,963 (2026 est.). At $161,584, the local median is 3.34% below the national median of $167,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be above the median
How Flagstaff Lawyer Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $161,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $132,663 | +21.80% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -3.34% less |
Lawyers in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $161,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.34% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 21.80% above the Arizona state average of $132,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 0.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 100.325 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,584 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,061 — a 0.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,750
2025 BLS Actual
$154,330
2026 Current Est.
$161,584
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,178 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 39.3% from $110,750 (2019) to $154,330 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,428 (52.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,650 – $106,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,909 – $161,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,584 – $186,052 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,052 – $226,613 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Flagstaff
With approximately 140 lawyers currently employed in Flagstaff, the local job market balances the allure of competitive salaries with a cost-of-living index of 100.325, slightly above the national average. This condition impacts take-home purchasing power, making compensation a critical factor for those considering legal careers in the area. Within Flagstaff, pay varies significantly based on the type of employer, with BigLaw firms typically offering the highest salaries but demanding substantial billable hours. Mid-size and boutique firms may offer more balanced workloads but generally reflect lower compensation. Partnerships, bonuses, and the public versus private sector divide also contribute to the pay disparity. Understanding these dynamics can guide aspiring lawyers in maximizing their earning potential, particularly by targeting firms aligned with their career goals and lifestyle preferences within Flagstaff's evolving legal market.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $154,330 for lawyersin the Flagstaff metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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