Lawyer salary in Cleveland, OH
Lawyers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $134,680 a year ($64.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,770 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $131,020. There are 5.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $159,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| 25th percentile | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Median | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| 75th percentile | $201,810 | $97.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $281,770 | $135.47 |
| Average (mean) | $159,710 | $76.78 |
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 | $11,223.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,611.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,180 |
| Weekly | $2,590 |
| Hourly | $64.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $137,810 | 4,960 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,980 | 3,870 |
| Akron, OH | $126,270 | 1,150 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $124,990 | 240 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $119,210 | 450 |
| Toledo, OH | $113,920 | 820 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $104,170 | 1,040 |
| Sandusky, OH | $101,270 | 130 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $101,250 | 400 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,070 | 390 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $94,760 | 60 |
| Springfield, OH | $94,470 | 70 |
| Lima, OH | $83,260 | 90 |
| Mansfield, OH | $79,820 | 80 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $131,440 | $63.19 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $51,190 | $24.61 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $66,010 | $31.74 |
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for lawyers in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $134,680 a year, or $64.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $281,770 a year. The top 25% earn $201,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,740 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $99,720 or less.
How many lawyers work in Cleveland, OH?
About 5,540 lawyers are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.