Lawyer Salary in Puerto Rico: $82,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 2 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $82,169/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,559 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aguadilla ($78,480), Arecibo ($77,470).
In Puerto Rico, the average median salary for lawyers in 2026 is projected to be $82,169, significantly lower than the national median of $167,174, representing a salary gap of -50.8%. The highest paying city in the territory is Aguadilla, where lawyers can expect to earn $82,169, while Arecibo offers the lowest salaries at $81,111, creating a disparity of $1,058 between the two cities. Factors such as local economic conditions, the availability of legal services, and the demand for specific legal expertise contribute to this pay difference. Lawyers in Puerto Rico are required to meet specific state licensing standards and adhere to local scope of practice laws, which can impact job opportunities. Demand for legal services is influenced by local business activity, property issues, and family law, all of which may drive employment growth. The job market for lawyers is anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 4.70%, indicating a steady increase in the need for legal professionals in the territory. However, prospective lawyers should be mindful of the salary differences across regions and the overall economic landscape when considering their career paths.
Puerto Rico Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $45,000 (lowest entry-level) to $169,405 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico lawyers earn 50.85% less than the national median ($-85,005/year difference).
Puerto Rico Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Puerto Rico range from $45,000 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $169,405 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $82,169. The Puerto Rico median is $85,005 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $39.50/hr. Approximately 60 lawyers are employed across 2 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,707
2025 BLS Actual
$78,480
2026 Current Est.
$82,169
2019–2027 Growth
+41.7%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,707 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,166 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.3% from $60,707 (2019) to $78,480 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,323 (41.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 2 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,000 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $82,169 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $169,405 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 2 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in Puerto Rico?
How many lawyers are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 2 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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