Lawyer salary in Alabama
Lawyers in Alabama earn a median of $131,970 a year ($63.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,090 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $159,670. Alabama ranks 26th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.2 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $146,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,310 | $29.96 |
| 25th percentile | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| Median | $131,970 | $63.45 |
| 75th percentile | $181,440 | $87.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $249,090 | $119.76 |
| Average (mean) | $146,630 | $70.50 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,498.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,075.77 |
| Weekly | $2,537.88 |
| Hourly | $63.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | 2,800 |
| Decatur, AL | $139,010 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $133,220 | 730 |
| Mobile, AL | $130,490 | 560 |
| Dothan, AL | $129,990 | 140 |
| Montgomery, AL | $125,290 | 960 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $114,100 | 190 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $113,210 | 60 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $104,120 | 290 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $100,560 | 120 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $98,850 | 110 |
| Gadsden, AL | $94,220 | 70 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $80,090 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $134,810 | $64.81 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $61,330 | $29.49 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Alabama?
The median salary for lawyers in Alabama is $131,970 a year, or $63.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $249,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of lawyers in Alabama earn at least $249,090 a year. The top 25% earn $181,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,310 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $82,920 or less.
How many lawyers work in Alabama?
About 6,730 lawyers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.