Lawyer Salary in Minnesota: $163,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $163,279/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $165,765 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($159,620), St. Paul ($158,017), Bloomington ($156,792).
In Minnesota, the average median salary for lawyers in 2026 is projected to be $163,279, which is 2.3% below the national median of $167,174. The highest paying city, Minneapolis, offers an average salary of $167,122, while St. Cloud has the lowest at $124,446, indicating a substantial salary gap of $42,676. This difference is often driven by factors such as demand for legal services, cost of living, and the concentration of law firms in larger metropolitan areas. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements that include passing the Minnesota bar exam and a commitment to continuing legal education. Additionally, the state has distinct scope of practice laws that can influence salaries based on specialization and experience. The projected job market for lawyers shows a healthy growth rate of 4.70% according to 2025 BLS data, suggesting rising demand for legal professionals across various sectors. Major cities like St. Paul and Bloomington also offer competitive salaries at $165,444 and $164,161 respectively, contributing to Minnesota's diverse legal landscape. Understanding these factors can be crucial for aspiring lawyers when considering where to practice in the state.
Minnesota Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $68,547 (lowest entry-level) to $368,764 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota lawyers earn 2.33% less than the national median ($-3,895/year difference).
Minnesota Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Minnesota range from $88,175 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $353,995 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $163,279. The Minnesota median is $3,895 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $78.50/hr. Approximately 11,512 lawyers are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,559
2025 BLS Actual
$155,949
2026 Current Est.
$163,279
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,559 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 37.3% from $113,559 (2019) to $155,949 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,394 (50.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | $165,444 | 98.5 | $167,963 |
| Bloomington | $164,161 | 98.5 | $166,661 |
| Minneapolis | $167,122 | 104.822 | $159,434 |
| Duluth | $135,189 | 88.768 | $152,295 |
| Mankato | $136,131 | 90.955 | $149,669 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $88,175 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $163,279 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $353,995 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $167,122 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $165,444 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $164,161 |
| 4 | Maple Grove | $137,181 |
| 5 | Woodbury | $137,128 |
| 6 | Eden Prairie | $136,999 |
| 7 | Mankato | $136,131 |
| 8 | Rochester | $135,346 |
| 9 | Duluth | $135,189 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $134,357 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $134,179 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $133,944 |
| 13 | Roseville | $133,864 |
| 14 | Chaska | $133,758 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $133,729 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $133,580 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $133,473 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $132,979 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $132,887 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $132,677 |
| 21 | Eagan | $132,658 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $132,625 |
| 23 | Elk River | $132,604 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $132,466 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $131,984 |
| 26 | Blaine | $131,425 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $131,222 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $131,091 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $131,071 |
| 30 | Savage | $130,860 |
| 31 | Edina | $130,846 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $130,460 |
| 33 | Andover | $130,429 |
| 34 | Richfield | $130,366 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $130,356 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $130,167 |
| 37 | Northfield | $129,225 |
| 38 | Hastings | $128,951 |
| 39 | Fridley | $128,371 |
| 40 | Winona | $128,266 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $128,214 |
| 42 | Austin | $128,014 |
| 43 | Faribault | $127,851 |
| 44 | St. Cloud | $124,446 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced lawyers.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Minnesota in 2026?
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How does Minnesota lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in Minnesota?
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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 Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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