Lawyer Salary in Manchester, NH: $131,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Manchester, NH earns a median $131,074/year (≈ $63.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.7), that paycheck buys what $124,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.9% below the New Hampshire state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in Manchester, New Hampshire, is $131,074. This figure reflects a local legal market that operates significantly below the national median of $167,174, indicative of the regional economic context attorneys navigate. The salary range spans from $78,159 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $301,033 (90th percentile), suggesting the potential for substantial income variability depending on factors such as experience, specialization, and the type of employer. This information is derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, projected forward to 2026. For those considering a legal career, understanding these figures is crucial, particularly in balancing the decision between public sector roles—often associated with loan forgiveness programs—and the higher pay typically found in private practice.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,159 | $37.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,365 | $50.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,074 | $63.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,281 | $93.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $301,033 | $144.73 |
Median Salary Position
21.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, NH, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $222,874 (2026 est.). At $131,074, the local median is 21.59% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Manchester Lawyer Pay Compares
Manchester median: $131,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $179,308 | -26.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.59% less |
Lawyers in Manchester, NH earn a median of $131,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.59% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 26.90% below the New Hampshire state average of $179,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 5.66% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, NH has a cost-of-living index of 105.657 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,074 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,056 — a 5.35% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,840
2025 BLS Actual
$125,190
2026 Current Est.
$131,074
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 22.9% from $101,840 (2019) to $125,190 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,394 (34.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $78,159 – $104,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,365 – $131,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,074 – $194,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,281 – $301,033 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Manchester
Looking at the local job market, Manchester employs around 740 lawyers, creating a competitive environment where the cost of living index stands at 105.657, slightly above the national average. This figure highlights the importance for legal professionals to consider their take-home purchasing power when evaluating salary offers. Larger law firms, often categorized as BigLaw, tend to offer the highest compensation, especially if drawing comparisons to firms in major metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco where salaries are significantly higher. Conversely, many public service and nonprofit roles may provide lower starting salaries but come with educational debt relief options that can be quite appealing for new graduates. Factors influencing salary levels include firm type, partnerships, and billable hour expectations ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 per year, alongside potential bonus structures. For those aspiring to increase lawyer pay in Manchester, targeting mid-size firms with a balance of reasonable hours and competitive salaries, or considering in-house positions, can provide both financial benefits and work-life balance.
More salary data for Manchester, NH:
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 $125,190 for lawyersin the Manchester 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