Lawyer Salary in Laramie, WY: $158,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Laramie, WY earns a median $158,288/year (≈ $76.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Laramie's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $165,228 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Laramie, Wyoming, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $158,288, comparatively lower than the national median of $167,174. The earnings range quite significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $91,807 and experienced attorneys potentially earning up to $245,346. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost of living conditions, highlight the income disparity between the public and private sectors. While private practice can present lucrative opportunities, many may consider public sector roles due to benefits like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which can make lower salaries more manageable for recent graduates.
About the Laramie Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,807 | $44.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,967 | $54.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,288 | $76.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,608 | $97.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $245,346 | $117.96 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laramie
In Laramie, WY, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,539 (2026 est.). At $158,288, the local median is 5.32% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laramie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laramie Lawyer Pay Compares
Laramie median: $158,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laramie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $160,210 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -5.32% less |
Lawyers in Laramie, WY earn a median of $158,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.20% below the Wyoming state average of $160,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laramie has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laramie, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $158,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $165,228 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,423
2025 BLS Actual
$151,182
2026 Current Est.
$158,288
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Laramie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,423 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,182 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,524 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,153 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,727 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laramie metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $116,423 (2019) to $151,182 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,727 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,304 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laramie 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) | $91,807 – $113,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,967 – $158,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,288 – $202,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,608 – $245,346 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Laramie
In terms of the local job market, Laramie has a modest legal community with only nine lawyers employed in the area. The cost-of-living index is notably below the national average at 95.8, impacting the practical purchasing power of legal professionals in the region. Among local employers, public defender and district attorney offices typically offer the lowest compensation, while mid-sized and regional firms provide a more competitive lawyer pay Laramie WY. Factors contributing to salary variation include the size and prestige of firms, with BigLaw firms often paying the highest, though they come with demanding billable hour expectations. Attorneys seeking to maximize their pay should consider transitioning to in-house positions, which often provide a better work-life balance while still maintaining reasonable compensation growth, making the legal profession in Laramie both competitive and manageable.
More salary data for Laramie, WY:
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 $151,182 for lawyersin the Laramie 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 Laramie 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