Lawyer Salary in Commerce City, CO: $124,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Commerce City, CO earns a median $124,415/year (≈ $59.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Commerce City's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $118,490 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers in Commerce City, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $124,415 in 2026, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median salary of $167,174. The local salary range spans from $72,160 at the 10th percentile to $192,844 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide disparity that often hinges on the sector of employment. Many lawyers opt for public sector roles, which may be less lucrative but offer benefits like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), allowing them to balance financial constraints with loan repayment strategies. In contrast, private practice may offer higher compensation, albeit with greater demands on time and effort, particularly in large legal firms.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,160 | $34.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,579 | $43.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,415 | $59.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,251 | $76.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,844 | $92.71 |
Median Salary Position
25.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
In Commerce City, CO, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,684 (2026 est.). At $124,415, the local median is 25.58% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Commerce City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Commerce City Lawyer Pay Compares
Commerce City median: $124,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Commerce City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $128,263 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -25.58% less |
Lawyers in Commerce City, CO earn a median of $124,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.58% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $128,263.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Commerce City has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Commerce City, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,415 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,490 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,510
2025 BLS Actual
$118,830
2026 Current Est.
$124,415
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,253 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,021 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Commerce City metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $91,510 (2019) to $118,830 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,753 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City 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) | $72,160 – $89,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,579 – $124,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,415 – $159,251 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,251 – $192,844 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Commerce City
With only 16 lawyers currently employed in Commerce City, the local job market is modest but stable. The cost of living index in the area is slightly above average at 105, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power relative to salaries. Major employers in the region tend to be mid-sized or boutique firms rather than the largest BigLaw entities, which typically pay more but are concentrated in larger metropolitan areas. The variance in lawyer pay in Commerce City can be attributed to firm size, market location, and the nature of practice, including billable hour expectations that usually range from 1,800 to 2,400 hours annually. To maximize earnings in this market, lawyers should focus on developing niche specialties or seeking opportunities with in-house corporate legal departments, which may present a more favorable work-life balance while still offering competitive salaries. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone considering a law career in Commerce City.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
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 $118,830 for lawyersin the Commerce City 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
Salary data for Commerce City 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