Lawyer Salary in Hazleton, PA: $118,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Hazleton, PA earns a median $118,551/year (≈ $57.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Hazleton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $121,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $118,551 projected for 2026, the earnings for lawyers in Hazleton, PA, reflect a notable disparity when compared to the national figure of $167,174. Salaries in Hazleton range significantly, from $68,760 at the 10th percentile to as much as $183,754 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, consider local market conditions and regional price variations. While lawyers can expect to earn a competitive wage relative to local standards, those pursuing careers in larger metropolitan markets may find higher compensation levels, underscoring the dynamics at play in Hazleton's legal job market.
About the Hazleton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,760 | $33.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,357 | $41.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,551 | $57.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,745 | $72.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,754 | $88.35 |
Median Salary Position
29.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hazleton
In Hazleton, PA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,994 (2026 est.). At $118,551, the local median is 29.09% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hazleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hazleton Lawyer Pay Compares
Hazleton median: $118,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hazleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $122,217 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -29.09% less |
Lawyers in Hazleton, PA earn a median of $118,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.09% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $122,217.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hazleton has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hazleton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $118,551 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,716 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,196
2025 BLS Actual
$113,229
2026 Current Est.
$118,551
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Hazleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,196 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,012 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,259 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,365 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,229 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,123 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hazleton metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $87,196 (2019) to $113,229 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,123 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,927 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hazleton 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) | $68,760 – $85,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,357 – $118,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,551 – $151,745 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,745 – $183,754 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Hazleton
While there are currently just seven practicing lawyers in Hazleton, the local legal market experiences pressure from the lower cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 97.4. This means take-home purchasing power can be more favorable than in higher-cost areas. In the local scene, firms vary widely in pay; larger, regional legal firms might achieve salaries closer to the upper end of the spectrum, while small private practices typically offer lower compensation. Factors such as firm size, partnership opportunities, and billable hour requirements significantly impact compensation levels. Lawyers keen on maximizing their earning potential in Hazleton may consider leveraging opportunities for additional billable work or transitioning into in-house roles, which, while generally offering lower salaries compared to BigLaw, can provide more predictable hours and lifestyle benefits. Understanding these nuances can help aspiring legal professionals strategize effectively within this market.
More salary data for Hazleton, PA:
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 $113,229 for lawyersin the Hazleton 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 Hazleton 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