Lawyer Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $120,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $120,220/year (≈ $57.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $123,429 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers practicing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can anticipate a median annual salary of $120,220 in 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living. This salary is situated within a competitive range, with entry-level positions starting at $69,727 and experienced attorneys earning up to $186,341. Comparing this to the national average of $167,174 reveals a significant gap, highlighting the regional differences in lawyer pay, Wilkes-Barre's compensation is about 28.09% lower than the national median. The variance in earnings underscores the ongoing trade-off between local public sector opportunities, which may provide loan forgiveness benefits through programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and potentially more lucrative but demanding private practice roles.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,727 | $33.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,559 | $41.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,220 | $57.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,881 | $73.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,341 | $89.59 |
Median Salary Position
28.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,614 (2026 est.). At $120,220, the local median is 28.09% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Lawyer Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $120,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $122,174 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -28.09% less |
Lawyers in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $120,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.09% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $122,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $120,220 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,429 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,424
2025 BLS Actual
$114,823
2026 Current Est.
$120,220
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,424 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,614 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $88,424 (2019) to $114,823 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,446 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $69,727 – $86,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,559 – $120,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,220 – $153,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,881 – $186,341 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
While only 11 lawyers currently practice in Wilkes-Barre, the local job market remains steady. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, attorneys in the region will find that their take-home pay can stretch further than in higher-cost cities, though it still may not compete with the financial allure of larger markets. The premium offerings come primarily from larger firms or in-house corporate legal departments, with regional firms generally providing competitive pay but with a more manageable work-life balance. Factors such as partnership equity, the volume of billable hours, and bonus structures mainly dictate the spread between lower and higher salaries. Those aiming to maximize their earnings could benefit from focusing on larger firms or strategic specialties in their practice areas, as these can enhance both immediate compensation and long-term career growth.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $114,823 for lawyersin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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