Lawyer Salary in Bristol, RI: $159,048 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Bristol, RI earns a median $159,048/year (≈ $76.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $158,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Bristol, Rhode Island, can expect a median annual salary of $159,048, which is slightly below the national median of $167,174. The salary range for legal professionals in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $92,248 (P10) and top earners making around $246,523 (P90). These figures represent projections based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data adjusted for regional price levels. While the public sector often offers lower salaries, it provides the advantage of student loan forgiveness programs, a crucial consideration for many recent graduates. The distinction between roles in public versus private practice plays a big part in salary expectations across Bristol's legal landscape.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,248 | $44.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,515 | $55.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,048 | $76.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,581 | $97.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,523 | $118.52 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $154,275 (2026 est.). At $159,048, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Lawyer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $159,048/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $167,949 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -4.86% less |
Lawyers in Bristol, RI earn a median of $159,048 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $167,949.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,048 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,257 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,983
2025 BLS Actual
$151,908
2026 Current Est.
$159,048
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,983 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,048 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $116,983 (2019) to $151,908 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,540 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $92,248 – $114,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,515 – $159,048 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,048 – $203,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,581 – $246,523 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Bristol
The local job market in Bristol consists of just five employed lawyers, reflecting a tight-knit legal community. With a cost of living index of 100.5, living expenses are only marginally above the national average, affecting take-home pay for legal professionals. Compensation varies greatly, particularly between BigLaw firms, mid-sized firms, and solo practices. While major firms may not have a presence in Bristol, regional firms typically pay competitive salaries that can range widely due to different firm dynamics, bonus structures, and billable hour expectations. Literacy in the local market can maximize earnings; therefore, engaging with regional legal networks, understanding the intricacies of compensation structures, and leveraging opportunities for partnership can significantly benefit a lawyer's career trajectory in Bristol, RI.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 $151,908 for lawyersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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