Lawyer salary in Columbus, IN
Lawyers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $105,790 a year ($50.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $279,780 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 17% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $126,860. There are 1.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $149,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,710 | $34.00 |
| 25th percentile | $92,520 | $44.48 |
| Median | $105,790 | $50.86 |
| 75th percentile | $136,210 | $65.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $279,780 | $134.51 |
| Average (mean) | $149,200 | $71.73 |
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 | $8,815.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,407.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,068.85 |
| Weekly | $2,034.42 |
| Hourly | $50.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $165,660 | 28,320 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $135,290 | 210 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,980 | 3,870 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $126,520 | 510 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $124,530 | 2,000 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $116,060 | 70 |
| Evansville, IN | $107,050 | 370 |
| Kokomo, IN | $104,320 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IN | $103,460 | 210 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $103,050 | 280 |
| Muncie, IN | $102,140 | 60 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $100,650 | 220 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $50,500 | $24.28 |
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for lawyers in the Columbus, IN metro area is $105,790 a year, or $50.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $279,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $279,780 a year. The top 25% earn $136,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,710 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $92,520 or less.
How many lawyers work in Columbus, IN?
About 70 lawyers are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.