Lawyer Salary in Ashland, OR: $124,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Ashland, OR earns a median $124,994/year (≈ $60.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $121,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anticipated median salary for lawyers in Ashland, Oregon is projected at $124,994, distinctly lower than the national median of $167,174. Local salaries range from $72,496 at the 10th percentile to $193,741 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities and pay structures across various legal sectors in the area. For legal professionals navigating Ashland's market, you'll find a split between BigLaw firms, which typically offer higher compensation for intense workloads, and smaller firms or boutique practices, where salaries may be lower but work-life balance tends to be better. The varying structures ultimately shape what one can expect in terms of financial remuneration and job satisfaction in the local legal profession.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,496 | $34.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,996 | $43.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,994 | $60.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,992 | $76.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,741 | $93.14 |
Median Salary Position
25.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, OR, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,245 (2026 est.). At $124,994, the local median is 25.23% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Lawyer Pay Compares
Ashland median: $124,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $131,850 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -25.23% less |
Lawyers in Ashland, OR earn a median of $124,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.23% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.20% below the Oregon state average of $131,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,994 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,827 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,935
2025 BLS Actual
$119,383
2026 Current Est.
$124,994
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,935 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,983 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,869 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $91,935 (2019) to $119,383 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,934 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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) | $72,496 – $89,996 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,996 – $124,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,994 – $159,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,992 – $193,741 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Ashland
The legal job market in Ashland is modest, with only six lawyers currently employed in the area, which emphasizes the potentially competitive nature of securing positions. Additionally, the local cost-of-living index stands at 102.6, indicating that residents can expect a slightly higher price point for goods and services compared to the national average. This means that while compensation is relatively lower than the national benchmark, the take-home purchasing power may be more constrained. Among local employers, regional firms and government agencies typically pay less, in contrast to larger firms that, while rare in Ashland, offer higher salaries and more structured paths for advancement. Factors contributing to disparities in earnings include firm size, location premiums, billable hour expectations, and varying opportunities for partnership. To maximize pay within this specific market, legal professionals should consider seeking out positions that offer higher equity stakes or those that align with in-demand practice areas, thus enhancing their overall earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Ashland, OR:
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 $119,383 for lawyersin the Ashland 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 Ashland 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