Lawyer salary in Birmingham, AL
Lawyers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $170,230 a year ($81.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $272,900 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 29% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $131,970. There are 5.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $165,910, close to the median.
Pay range for lawyers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| 25th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Median | $170,230 | $81.84 |
| 75th percentile | $213,600 | $102.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $272,900 | $131.20 |
| Average (mean) | $165,910 | $79.76 |
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 | $14,185.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,092.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,547.31 |
| Weekly | $3,273.65 |
| Hourly | $81.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $59,870 | $28.78 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $65,190 | $31.34 |
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for lawyers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $170,230 a year, or $81.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $272,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $272,900 a year. The top 25% earn $213,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,650 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $100,270 or less.
How many lawyers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 2,800 lawyers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.