Lawyer Salary in Colorado: $173,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $173,226/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $164,977 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Centennial ($179,005), Denver ($177,380), Aurora ($173,485).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in Colorado is projected at $173,226, exceeding the national median of $167,174 by 3.6%. The highest-paying city is Centennial at $187,418, while Colorado Springs offers the lowest average salary of $111,317, creating a significant salary gap of $76,101. This difference often stems from various factors, including the concentration of high-profile firms, the cost of living, and demand for specialized legal practices in metropolitan versus non-metropolitan areas. Colorado's state licensing requirements necessitate passing the Colorado Bar Examination, which can impact both entry into the field and earning potential. Additionally, the scope of practice laws influence areas where lawyers can specialize, contributing to variations in salary based on practice type and region. The job market for lawyers is projected to grow at a rate of 4.70%, indicating a steady demand driven by population growth and increased legal complexities in various sectors. The top cities forecasted for lawyer salaries in 2026 include Denver at $185,717, Aurora at $181,639, Greeley at $139,241, and Fort Collins at $137,555, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities across the state. Overall, Colorado presents a solid landscape for legal professionals, balancing competitive salaries with a strong employment outlook.
Colorado Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $68,466 (lowest entry-level) to $352,891 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado lawyers earn 3.62% more than the national median (+$6,052/year difference).
Colorado Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Colorado range from $91,859 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $332,869 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $173,226. The Colorado median is $6,052 above the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $83.28/hr. Approximately 14,790 lawyers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$130,992
2025 BLS Actual
$165,450
2026 Current Est.
$173,226
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,992 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,368 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 26.3% from $130,992 (2019) to $165,450 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,376 (38.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $111,317 |
| Golden | $118,045 |
| Pueblo | $118,489 |
| Evans | $118,778 |
| Grand Junction | $118,950 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | $187,418 | 105 | $178,493 |
| Denver | $185,717 | 105.782 | $175,566 |
| Aurora | $181,639 | 105 | $172,990 |
| Greeley | $139,241 | 100.176 | $138,996 |
| Fort Collins | $137,555 | 101.128 | $136,021 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $91,859 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $173,226 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $332,869 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | $187,418 |
| 2 | Denver | $185,717 |
| 3 | Aurora | $181,639 |
| 4 | Greeley | $139,241 |
| 5 | Fort Collins | $137,555 |
| 6 | Loveland | $134,259 |
| 7 | Arvada | $131,322 |
| 8 | Thornton | $130,266 |
| 9 | Westminster | $128,971 |
| 10 | Boulder | $128,960 |
| 11 | Lakewood | $128,349 |
| 12 | Parker | $127,127 |
| 13 | Erie | $126,897 |
| 14 | Windsor | $126,579 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $126,335 |
| 16 | Broomfield | $126,294 |
| 17 | Longmont | $126,254 |
| 18 | Englewood | $125,285 |
| 19 | Commerce City | $124,415 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $124,121 |
| 21 | Wheat Ridge | $123,405 |
| 22 | Brighton | $122,250 |
| 23 | Littleton | $121,841 |
| 24 | Fountain | $121,772 |
| 25 | Northglenn | $121,653 |
| 26 | Steamboat Springs | $120,938 |
| 27 | Durango | $120,176 |
| 28 | Louisville | $119,472 |
| 29 | Grand Junction | $118,950 |
| 30 | Evans | $118,778 |
| 31 | Pueblo | $118,489 |
| 32 | Golden | $118,045 |
| 33 | Colorado Springs | $111,317 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in Colorado?
How does Colorado lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in Colorado?
How many lawyers are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for lawyers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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