Lawyer Salary in Chicopee, MA: $128,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Chicopee, MA earns a median $128,126/year (≈ $61.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Chicopee's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $118,088 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Chicopee, Massachusetts, the anticipated median salary for lawyers in 2026 is projected at $128,126, reflecting a notable contrast to the national median of $167,174. This compensation landscape includes a salary range stretching from $74,313 at the 10th percentile to $198,595 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a breadth of earning potential in this market. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, which indicate that while local lawyer salaries are lower than the national average by approximately 23.36%, they still represent solid remuneration within the context of Chicopee’s job market. Given the presence of just ten practicing lawyers in the area, this is a niche market where specialized skills and experience can significantly influence earnings.
About the Chicopee Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($182,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,313 | $35.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,126 | $61.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,001 | $78.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,595 | $95.48 |
Median Salary Position
23.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicopee
In Chicopee, MA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,282 (2026 est.). At $128,126, the local median is 23.36% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicopee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicopee Lawyer Pay Compares
Chicopee median: $128,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicopee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $128,769 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -23.36% less |
Lawyers in Chicopee, MA earn a median of $128,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.36% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $128,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicopee has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicopee, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,126 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,088 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,239
2025 BLS Actual
$122,374
2026 Current Est.
$128,126
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Chicopee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,281 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,094 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,473 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicopee metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $94,239 (2019) to $122,374 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,908 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicopee 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) | $74,313 – $92,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,250 – $128,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,126 – $164,001 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,001 – $198,595 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Chicopee
The local legal employment scenario is shaped by a relatively small cohort of lawyers, yet it operates within a cost of living index of 108.5, indicating that living expenses exceed the national average. With only a handful of high-paying opportunities, lawyers in regional firms and boutique practices may command salaries that lean towards the mid-range, whereas those entering larger corporate or government roles often face a broader pay scale. Factors driving the difference in lawyer pay in Chicopee include tier variation among law firms, the demands of billable hours, and the appeal of benefits offered in public sector jobs, which can compensate for lower salaries through student loan forgiveness options. Aspiring lawyers seeking to enhance their earnings should consider gaining experience in higher-tier firms or exploring in-house counsel positions, as these routes may yield better long-term compensation and work-life balance.
More salary data for Chicopee, 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 $122,374 for lawyersin the Chicopee 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 Chicopee 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