Lawyer Salary in New York: $210,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $210,207/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $181,369 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($208,880), Rochester ($148,150), Poughkeepsie ($140,765).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in New York stands at $210,207, surpassing the national median of $167,174 by 25.7%. The highest-paying city is New York, with an average salary of $218,697, while Glens Falls reports the lowest at $114,374, creating a salary gap of $104,323. This disparity stems from factors such as the concentration of large law firms and corporate legal work in urban centers versus smaller markets with fewer opportunities. For legal professionals in New York, specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws dictate entrance and operation within the field. The demand for lawyers is influenced by New York's dense population, economic activity, and the complexity of its legal environment, driving the robust job market. Overall employment for lawyers in the state is projected at 105,990, with a growth rate of 4.70% annually, reflecting an ongoing need for legal services across various practice areas. Major metropolitan areas like Rochester, Poughkeepsie, Kiryas Joel, and Watertown offer salaries ranging from $143,408 to $155,113, demonstrating diverse market conditions within New York.
New York Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $67,176 (lowest entry-level) to $410,026 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York lawyers earn 25.74% more than the national median (+$43,033/year difference).
New York Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in New York range from $96,696 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $396,767 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $210,207. The New York median is $43,033 above the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $101.06/hr. Approximately 105,990 lawyers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$148,269
2025 BLS Actual
$200,771
2026 Current Est.
$210,207
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $154,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $169,599 | Actual |
| 2023 | $178,663 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,637 | Actual |
| 2025 | $200,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $210,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $220,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 35.4% from $148,269 (2019) to $200,771 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $220,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $71,818 (48.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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 New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Glens Falls | $114,374 |
| Kingston | $120,698 |
| Cortland | $126,100 |
| Plattsburgh | $126,481 |
| Oneonta | $127,799 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $218,697 | 112.563 | $194,289 |
| Watertown | $143,408 | 87.69 | $163,540 |
| Rochester | $155,113 | 97.035 | $159,853 |
| Utica | $136,215 | 92.678 | $146,977 |
| Binghamton | $135,566 | 92.863 | $145,985 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $96,696 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $210,207 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $396,767 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $218,697 |
| 2 | Rochester | $155,113 |
| 3 | Poughkeepsie | $147,381 |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $145,146 |
| 5 | Watertown | $143,408 |
| 6 | Newburgh | $141,993 |
| 7 | Ithaca | $141,984 |
| 8 | Yonkers | $140,475 |
| 9 | Troy | $140,204 |
| 10 | New Rochelle | $137,579 |
| 11 | Albany | $137,482 |
| 12 | Buffalo | $136,948 |
| 13 | Utica | $136,215 |
| 14 | Mount Vernon | $136,039 |
| 15 | Binghamton | $135,566 |
| 16 | Long Beach | $134,991 |
| 17 | Syracuse | $134,969 |
| 18 | Niagara Falls | $134,916 |
| 19 | Rome | $134,825 |
| 20 | Schenectady | $134,496 |
| 21 | Spring Valley | $133,472 |
| 22 | White Plains | $133,295 |
| 23 | Jamestown | $133,131 |
| 24 | Valley Stream | $132,919 |
| 25 | Elmira | $132,864 |
| 26 | Middletown | $132,366 |
| 27 | Hempstead | $132,221 |
| 28 | Saratoga Springs | $131,569 |
| 29 | North Tonawanda | $130,793 |
| 30 | Auburn | $130,156 |
| 31 | Freeport | $129,784 |
| 32 | Oswego | $128,438 |
| 33 | Lackawanna | $128,170 |
| 34 | Amsterdam | $128,108 |
| 35 | Oneonta | $127,799 |
| 36 | Plattsburgh | $126,481 |
| 37 | Cortland | $126,100 |
| 38 | Kingston | $120,698 |
| 39 | Glens Falls | $114,374 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in New York?
How does New York lawyer pay compare to the national average?
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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 New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 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