Lawyer Salary in McMinnville, OR: $130,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in McMinnville, OR earns a median $130,733/year (≈ $62.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in McMinnville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $127,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer salary in McMinnville, Oregon, projects a median annual compensation of $130,733, reflecting the distinctions within the local legal market. This figure sits significantly below the national median of $167,174, revealing a structured divide where lawyers working for larger firms or in metropolitan areas tend to earn considerably higher salaries. The estimated salary range for lawyers in McMinnville stretches from $75,825 at the 10th percentile to $202,635 at the 90th percentile, which indicates a notable disparity in earnings based on experience, specialization, and firm type. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, painting an accurate picture of lawyer pay in McMinnville OR and emphasizing the area's relative positioning within the broader legal landscape.
About the McMinnville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,825 | $36.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,127 | $45.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,733 | $62.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,338 | $80.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,635 | $97.42 |
Median Salary Position
21.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McMinnville
In McMinnville, OR, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,810 (2026 est.). At $130,733, the local median is 21.8% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McMinnville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McMinnville Lawyer Pay Compares
McMinnville median: $130,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McMinnville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $131,920 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.80% less |
Lawyers in McMinnville, OR earn a median of $130,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.80% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.90% below the Oregon state average of $131,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McMinnville has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McMinnville, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,733 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,420 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,156
2025 BLS Actual
$124,864
2026 Current Est.
$130,733
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in McMinnville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,156 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,986 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McMinnville metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $96,156 (2019) to $124,864 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,721 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McMinnville 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) | $75,825 – $94,127 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,127 – $130,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,733 – $167,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,338 – $202,635 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in McMinnville
Examining the local job market in McMinnville, only five lawyers are currently employed, highlighting a limited yet potentially competitive environment. The cost of living index is slightly elevated at 102.6, meaning that the purchasing power of legal professionals' salaries may be constrained compared to national averages. Among local employers, boutique firms and smaller practices typically provide the bulk of employment opportunities, with compensation structures largely dictated by practice area, client base, and firm reputation. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to the type of legal work; larger firms tend to offer higher pay due to their ability to attract larger clients and generate more billable hours. For attorneys aiming to maximize their earning potential in McMinnville, focusing on specialized practice areas, building strong referral networks, or considering in-house opportunities could offer paths to enhance both salary and job satisfaction.
More salary data for McMinnville, 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 $124,864 for lawyersin the McMinnville 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 McMinnville 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