Lawyer salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Lawyers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $102,070 a year ($49.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,460 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 2% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $104,100. There are 5.6 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $112,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,870 | $8.59 |
| 25th percentile | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Median | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| 75th percentile | $133,570 | $64.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,460 | $93.49 |
| Average (mean) | $112,100 | $53.89 |
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 | $8,505.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,252.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,925.77 |
| Weekly | $1,962.88 |
| Hourly | $49.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $121,290 | 4,330 |
| Lafayette, LA | $111,160 | 650 |
| Alexandria, LA | $108,720 | 200 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $101,690 | 350 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $98,900 | 460 |
| Monroe, LA | $94,720 | 270 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $93,840 | 220 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $84,590 | 560 |
| Hammond, LA | $78,110 | 150 |
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 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $48,010 | $23.08 |
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $102,070 a year, or $49.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $194,460 a year. The top 25% earn $133,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,870 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $76,660 or less.
How many lawyers work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 2,300 lawyers are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.