Lawyer Salary in Westerly, RI: $156,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Westerly, RI earns a median $156,899/year (≈ $75.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Westerly's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $156,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers in Westerly, Rhode Island, earn a median annual salary of $156,899 in 2026. While this figure reflects strong compensation locally, it falls short of the national median of $167,174 for the same year. The salary range for lawyers in this area spans from $91,001 at the lower tenth percentile to $243,194 at the higher ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, suggest a market dynamic influenced by various factors such as public versus private sector employment. For new law graduates considering their career path in Westerly, understanding the trade-offs between lucrative private practice roles and stable public sector positions, particularly in terms of student loan forgiveness programs, will be paramount.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,001 | $43.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,967 | $54.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,899 | $75.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,831 | $96.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,194 | $116.92 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerly
In Westerly, RI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,193 (2026 est.). At $156,899, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerly: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westerly Lawyer Pay Compares
Westerly median: $156,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerly Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $167,986 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -6.15% less |
Lawyers in Westerly, RI earn a median of $156,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $167,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerly has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerly, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,899 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,118 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,402
2025 BLS Actual
$149,856
2026 Current Est.
$156,899
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,128 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,801 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerly metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $115,402 (2019) to $149,856 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,871 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerly 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) | $91,001 – $112,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,967 – $156,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,899 – $200,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,831 – $243,194 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Westerly
A tight local lawyer job market exists in Westerly, with just five attorneys currently employed. Given the cost of living index at 100.5, which is slightly above the national average, professionals should be keenly aware of how their salaries align with local purchasing power. Among the various employers, big law firms typically offer the highest compensation, but these opportunities may be rare in a smaller market like Westerly. Mid-size firms and boutique specialty practices may present a blend of reasonable pay and a more manageable lifestyle. Factors contributing to the disparity in compensation levels include differences based on firm tier—where large firms dominate—market location, billable hours expectations, and the nature of employment (public vs. private sector). For maximizing pay in Westerly, aspiring lawyers should focus on building strong networks and gaining specialized skills that can enhance their market value within the area's legal ecosystem.
More salary data for Westerly, 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 $149,856 for lawyersin the Westerly 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 Westerly 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