Lawyer Salary in Augusta, ME: $157,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Augusta, ME earns a median $157,010/year (≈ $75.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $157,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Augusta, Maine, the 2026 median annual lawyer salary stands at $157,010, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national average. With salaries ranging between $91,066 at the 10th percentile to $243,366 at the 90th percentile, these figures spotlight the stark divide between different legal markets. Lawyers in Augusta are primarily employed in a mix of small to mid-sized firms, as BigLaw presence is limited. The local market is influenced by regional pricing and cost-of-living adjustments, which means individuals must navigate their choices regarding public sector positions versus private practice opportunities. This influences earnings potential and overall job satisfaction, setting the tone for career paths in Augusta's legal community.
About the Augusta Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,066 | $43.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,048 | $54.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,010 | $75.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,973 | $96.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,366 | $117.00 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, ME, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,300 (2026 est.). At $157,010, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Lawyer Pay Compares
Augusta median: $157,010/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $166,501 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -6.08% less |
Lawyers in Augusta, ME earn a median of $157,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.70% below the Maine state average of $166,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $157,010 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,484
2025 BLS Actual
$149,962
2026 Current Est.
$157,010
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,484 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,213 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $115,484 (2019) to $149,962 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,906 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $91,066 – $113,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,048 – $157,010 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,010 – $200,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,973 – $243,366 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Augusta
The job market for lawyers in Augusta is quite limited, with only four active attorneys currently employed in the area. The area's cost-of-living index is at 99.6, slightly below the national average, which affects the purchasing power of salaries earned by local legal professionals. Although BigLaw opportunities and salaries are scarce in Augusta, regional firms and small practices offer competitive pay, particularly for experienced lawyers. Factors driving remuneration include firm size, location, and the balance of billable hours. To maximize their income, lawyers can consider focusing on niche areas of practice that both align with market demand and leverage their unique skill sets. Additionally, those contemplating government or public interest roles should keep in mind the benefits, such as student loan forgiveness, despite lower starting salaries, as they represent a more balanced lifestyle choice.
More salary data for Augusta, ME:
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 $149,962 for lawyersin the Augusta 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 Augusta 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