Lawyer Salary in Barnstable, MA: $125,177 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Barnstable, MA earns a median $125,177/year (≈ $60.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Barnstable's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $115,371 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Barnstable, Massachusetts, can anticipate a median annual salary of $125,177, reflecting market conditions influenced significantly by billable hour expectations. The salary range for legal professionals here spans from $72,603 at the lowest end to $194,025 for top earners, indicating a diverse and stratified pay structure within the local legal landscape. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, which leads to a substantial difference compared to the national median salary of $167,174. Understanding these salary benchmarks is crucial for those discerning opportunities in Barnstable, particularly as the market continues to evolve and adapt.
About the Barnstable Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($182,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,603 | $34.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,128 | $43.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,177 | $60.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,227 | $77.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,025 | $93.28 |
Median Salary Position
25.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barnstable
In Barnstable, MA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,422 (2026 est.). At $125,177, the local median is 25.12% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Barnstable: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Barnstable Lawyer Pay Compares
Barnstable median: $125,177/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Barnstable Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $128,783 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -25.12% less |
Lawyers in Barnstable, MA earn a median of $125,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.12% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.80% below the Massachusetts state average of $128,783.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Barnstable has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Barnstable, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,177 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,371 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,070
2025 BLS Actual
$119,558
2026 Current Est.
$125,177
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Barnstable (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,837 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $191,952 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,177 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Barnstable metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $92,070 (2019) to $119,558 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,991 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable 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) | $72,603 – $90,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,128 – $125,177 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,177 – $160,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,227 – $194,025 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Barnstable
The legal job market in Barnstable is relatively small, with just eight lawyers currently employed within the area. A cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggests that earnings here may not stretch as far as in lower-cost markets, effectively impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include larger regional firms and in-house legal departments, while smaller boutique firms and solo practices may provide more flexible work environments but at lower pay scales. The variation in lawyer compensation can largely be attributed to firm size, billable hour requirements, and sector — with public service roles often less lucrative but offering benefits such as student loan forgiveness. For those seeking to maximize salary potential in Barnstable, pursuing positions at mid-tier firms or focusing on corporate in-house roles might be the most rewarding strategy, especially considering the trend towards more humane work-life balance without sacrificing significant earnings.
More salary data for Barnstable, MA:
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 $119,558 for lawyersin the Barnstable 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 Barnstable 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