Lawyer Salary in Brattleboro, VT: $163,926 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Brattleboro, VT earns a median $163,926/year (≈ $78.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Brattleboro's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $158,383 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Brattleboro can expect a median annual salary of $163,926, which is slightly below the national median of $167,174. The salary range for legal professionals varies significantly, from $95,077 at the 10th percentile to $254,085 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the disparity in earnings based on career choices. The divergence in earnings reflects the distinction between those in public sector roles benefitting from programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and their counterparts in private practice who may face higher earning potential but often deal with greater demands, including longer hours and intense competition.
About the Brattleboro Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,077 | $45.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,026 | $56.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,926 | $78.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,825 | $100.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $254,085 | $122.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brattleboro
In Brattleboro, VT, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $159,008 (2026 est.). At $163,926, the local median is 1.94% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brattleboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brattleboro Lawyer Pay Compares
Brattleboro median: $163,926/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brattleboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $173,100 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -1.94% less |
Lawyers in Brattleboro, VT earn a median of $163,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.30% below the Vermont state average of $173,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brattleboro has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brattleboro, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,926 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,383 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,570
2025 BLS Actual
$156,567
2026 Current Est.
$163,926
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Brattleboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,102 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,927 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,567 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,926 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brattleboro metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $120,570 (2019) to $156,567 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $171,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,060 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brattleboro 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) | $95,077 – $118,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,026 – $163,926 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,926 – $209,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,825 – $254,085 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Brattleboro
Brattleboro’s legal job market currently employs just six attorneys, which points to a relatively niche environment. The local cost of living index stands at 103.5, indicating that expenses are above the national average, which could influence take-home pay for lawyers in the area. In this compact market, earnings are influenced significantly by the firm type—big law firms typically promise higher salaries but with a workload that can exceed 2,400 billable hours annually, while smaller and mid-sized firms often offer a more manageable life-work balance with pay typically ranging from $80,000 to $160,000. Public sector roles, while lower in pay, may appeal with the added benefits of job stability and loan forgiveness options, likely making them attractive for those concerned about managing student debt. To maximize compensation in Brattleboro, aspiring lawyers should consider seeking employment at regional firms that offer robust growth potential within the local market dynamics while also weighing the balance of lifestyle benefits.
More salary data for Brattleboro, VT:
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 $156,567 for lawyersin the Brattleboro 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 Brattleboro 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