Lawyer Salary in Oregon City, OR: $130,580 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Oregon City, OR earns a median $130,580/year (≈ $62.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Oregon City's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $127,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For anyone wondering about lawyer salary in Oregon City, the 2026 median annual pay is projected to be $130,580, which reflects the intricacies of billable hour expectations at local firms. Salaries can range from as low as $75,736 at the 10th percentile to as high as $202,399 at the 90th percentile, providing a wide view of earning potential in this market. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrate how Oregon City's legal compensation landscape contrasts with national averages. Notably, the national median for lawyer salaries is significantly higher at $167,174, emphasizing the competitive nature of larger markets. This discrepancy indicates unique local market factors that affect compensation and job opportunities for legal professionals.
About the Oregon City Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,736 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,017 | $45.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,580 | $62.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,142 | $80.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,399 | $97.31 |
Median Salary Position
21.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oregon City
In Oregon City, OR, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,663 (2026 est.). At $130,580, the local median is 21.89% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oregon City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oregon City Lawyer Pay Compares
Oregon City median: $130,580/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oregon City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $131,899 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.89% less |
Lawyers in Oregon City, OR earn a median of $130,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.89% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.00% below the Oregon state average of $131,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oregon City has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oregon City, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,580 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,271 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,044
2025 BLS Actual
$124,718
2026 Current Est.
$130,580
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Oregon City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,145 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,026 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,853 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,580 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon City metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $96,044 (2019) to $124,718 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,673 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon City 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) | $75,736 – $94,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,017 – $130,580 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,580 – $167,142 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,142 – $202,399 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Oregon City
Analyzing the job market for lawyers in Oregon City, it's clear that the area employs just six legal professionals, indicating a niche market with limited competition. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 102.6, potential earnings can impact take-home purchasing power, making it essential for lawyers to consider lifestyle choices and financial management carefully. Mid-size firms and boutique practices typically offer the most competitive salaries locally, while BigLaw firms provide lucrative pay but often demand extensive billable hours, which can exceed 2,400 annually. Moreover, public sector roles tend to offer lower compensation but may include benefits like student loan forgiveness. To maximize pay in this specific Oregon City market, lawyers should consider specializing in high-demand areas, enhancing their negotiation skills for compensation packages, and seeking opportunities for partnership tracks within firms to secure long-term financial growth.
More salary data for Oregon City, 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 $124,718 for lawyersin the Oregon City 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 Oregon City 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