Lawyer Salary in Massachusetts: $183,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $183,708/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $169,316 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($183,350), Newton ($181,876), Cambridge ($178,972).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in Massachusetts is projected to be $183,708, which surpasses the national median of $167,174 by 9.9%. Boston tops the list as the highest paying city at $191,967, while Pittsfield is at the lower end with $112,448, creating a substantial salary gap of $79,519. This discrepancy is influenced by factors such as the concentration of major law firms and corporate headquarters in urban areas, particularly Boston, which drives demand for legal services. Licensing requirements in Massachusetts necessitate passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam and fulfilling continuing education requirements. The state's scope of practice laws also dictate how lawyers can operate within various fields, impacting salary potential. Furthermore, the job market for lawyers shows a positive outlook, with an annual compounded growth rate of 4.70% projected for the profession. The demand for legal services continues due to population growth and increasing complexities within the legal landscape. Other cities such as Newton ($190,424) and Cambridge ($187,384) also offer high salaries, reflecting the economic environment in suburban areas surrounding Boston, while cities like Worcester ($135,482) and Lynn ($132,264) present lower compensation levels, influenced by local economic factors and demand for legal expertise.
Massachusetts Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $51,649 (lowest entry-level) to $397,179 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts lawyers earn 9.89% more than the national median (+$16,534/year difference).
Massachusetts Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Massachusetts range from $85,805 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $379,312 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $183,708. The Massachusetts median is $16,534 above the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $88.32/hr. Approximately 23,227 lawyers are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$144,633
2025 BLS Actual
$175,461
2026 Current Est.
$183,708
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,633 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,825 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,513 | Actual |
| 2025 | $175,461 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $183,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $192,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 21.3% from $144,633 (2019) to $175,461 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $192,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,709 (32.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsfield | $112,448 |
| Andover | $121,929 |
| Leominster | $122,229 |
| Wellesley | $122,339 |
| Chelmsford | $122,409 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $191,967 | 108.266 | $177,311 |
| Newton | $190,424 | 108.5 | $175,506 |
| Cambridge | $187,384 | 108.5 | $172,704 |
| Springfield | $129,116 | 96.061 | $134,410 |
| Worcester | $135,482 | 102.523 | $132,148 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $85,805 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $183,708 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $379,312 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $191,967 |
| 2 | Newton | $190,424 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $187,384 |
| 4 | Worcester | $135,482 |
| 5 | Lynn | $132,264 |
| 6 | Somerville | $130,533 |
| 7 | Revere | $130,328 |
| 8 | Brockton | $129,881 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $129,736 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $129,655 |
| 11 | Malden | $129,186 |
| 12 | Haverhill | $129,165 |
| 13 | Lowell | $129,132 |
| 14 | Springfield | $129,116 |
| 15 | Framingham | $129,074 |
| 16 | Peabody | $128,900 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $128,513 |
| 18 | Amherst Town | $128,435 |
| 19 | Barnstable Town | $128,404 |
| 20 | Chicopee | $128,126 |
| 21 | Randolph | $127,985 |
| 22 | Quincy | $127,759 |
| 23 | Amherst | $127,605 |
| 24 | Chelsea | $127,596 |
| 25 | Medford | $127,248 |
| 26 | Fall River | $127,126 |
| 27 | Marlborough | $127,126 |
| 28 | Watertown | $127,106 |
| 29 | Fitchburg | $127,006 |
| 30 | Methuen | $126,958 |
| 31 | Taunton | $126,902 |
| 32 | Arlington | $126,857 |
| 33 | Northampton | $126,735 |
| 34 | Needham | $126,527 |
| 35 | Westfield | $126,466 |
| 36 | Everett | $126,446 |
| 37 | Holyoke | $125,797 |
| 38 | Beverly | $125,587 |
| 39 | Lawrence | $125,586 |
| 40 | Dartmouth | $125,437 |
| 41 | Waltham | $125,310 |
| 42 | Barnstable | $125,177 |
| 43 | Brookline | $124,903 |
| 44 | Billerica | $124,707 |
| 45 | Braintree | $124,288 |
| 46 | Salem | $124,078 |
| 47 | Natick | $123,998 |
| 48 | Dracut | $123,348 |
| 49 | Lexington | $123,269 |
| 50 | Stoughton | $123,269 |
| 51 | Shrewsbury | $123,108 |
| 52 | Franklin | $122,779 |
| 53 | Attleboro | $122,679 |
| 54 | Woburn | $122,519 |
| 55 | Chelmsford | $122,409 |
| 56 | Wellesley | $122,339 |
| 57 | Leominster | $122,229 |
| 58 | Andover | $121,929 |
| 59 | Pittsfield | $112,448 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
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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
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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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