Lawyer Salary in Springfield, MA: $129,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Springfield, MA earns a median $129,116/year (≈ $62.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.1), that paycheck buys what $134,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Springfield, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,116, which is notably lower than the national average of $167,174. The full salary range for legal professionals in the area spans from $76,714 at the 10th percentile to $261,153 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles available in both public and private sectors. While Springfield’s figures seem modest compared to larger markets, the city's job market sees 770 lawyers actively employed, making it a viable place for legal careers despite the salary disparity. It's also crucial for prospective lawyers to weigh their options carefully, as public sector roles tend to offer reliable benefits and the potential for student loan forgiveness, while private practice may demand longer hours and a more profound commitment for increased pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,714 | $36.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,341 | $42.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,116 | $62.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,121 | $86.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $261,153 | $125.56 |
Median Salary Position
22.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $184,439 (2026 est.). At $129,116, the local median is 22.77% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Lawyer Pay Compares
Springfield median: $129,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $128,730 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -22.77% less |
Lawyers in Springfield, MA earn a median of $129,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $128,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 3.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MA has a cost-of-living index of 96.061 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $129,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,400
2025 BLS Actual
$123,320
2026 Current Est.
$129,116
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 15.9% from $106,400 (2019) to $123,320 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,784 (27.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $76,714 – $89,341 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,341 – $129,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,116 – $179,121 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,121 – $261,153 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Springfield
Examining the local job market reveals a complex picture of compensation and cost of living in Springfield. With a cost-of-living index of 96.061, legal professionals in this city will find that their purchasing power for essentials can be more favorable compared to high-cost-market cities. Among the various employers, large firms competing in the BigLaw arena tend to offer the highest salaries, with noticeable pay escalation for positions in established in-house corporate legal departments. However, mid-size and regional firms also provide competitive compensation while ensuring better work-life balance. The disparities in earnings can be attributed to factors like firm tier—where BigLaw consistently edges out smaller firms—and the structural differences in billing expectations and bonus distributions. To maximize earnings in Springfield’s legal landscape, aspiring lawyers should consider targeting positions within larger firms, while also developing expertise in high-demand specialty fields to differentiate themselves in the market.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $123,320 for lawyersin the Springfield 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
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