Lawyer Salary in Centreville, VA: $132,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Centreville, VA earns a median $132,276/year (≈ $63.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Centreville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $128,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the calculated median annual compensation for lawyers in Centreville, Virginia, stands at $132,276, which reflects a significant 20.88% lower figure compared to the national median of $167,174. Within this local market, salaries show considerable variability, with a projected range from $76,720 at the 10th percentile to as high as $205,028 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the influence of firm size, practice area, and billing structures on effective hourly compensation. In Centreville, expectations for billable hours typically fall between 1,800 to 2,400 annually, creating a competitive atmosphere where income potential substantially varies depending on the type of practice and employment structure.
About the Centreville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,238 | $45.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,276 | $63.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,314 | $81.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $205,028 | $98.58 |
Median Salary Position
20.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centreville
In Centreville, VA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,308 (2026 est.). At $132,276, the local median is 20.88% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Centreville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Centreville Lawyer Pay Compares
Centreville median: $132,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Centreville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $133,074 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -20.88% less |
Lawyers in Centreville, VA earn a median of $132,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.88% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.60% below the Virginia state average of $133,074.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Centreville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Centreville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,276 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,174 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,291
2025 BLS Actual
$126,338
2026 Current Est.
$132,276
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Centreville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,291 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,404 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,116 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,493 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Centreville metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $97,291 (2019) to $126,338 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,493 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,202 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centreville 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) | $76,720 – $95,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,238 – $132,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,276 – $169,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,314 – $205,028 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Centreville
With only 14 lawyers currently practicing in Centreville, the local job market showcases a unique dynamic influenced by the area’s cost of living index, which is 103.2—somewhat above the national average. This cost factor impacts take-home pay and overall purchasing power for legal professionals operating in the region. Among employers, BigLaw firms may offer higher salaries but at the expense of longer hours and intense workloads, while mid-size and regional firms typically provide a more balanced work-life dynamic at moderate pay levels. Lawyers seeking to maximize their earnings in this market should consider the benefits of specializations that are in high demand, joining larger firms, or focusing on lucrative in-house corporate roles. Additionally, opting for partnership opportunities can significantly enhance compensation due to equity stakes, illustrating how choices between public sector roles, which generally offer lower pay but benefits like student loan forgiveness, and private sector opportunities shape the financial realities for lawyers in Centreville VA.
More salary data for Centreville, VA:
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 $126,338 for lawyersin the Centreville 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 Centreville 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