Lawyer salary in Massachusetts
Lawyers in Massachusetts earn a median of $176,680 a year ($84.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $374,410 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $159,670. Massachusetts ranks 4th of 51 states for lawyers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 6.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $205,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| 25th percentile | $119,960 | $57.67 |
| Median | $176,680 | $84.94 |
| 75th percentile | $282,080 | $135.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $374,410 | $180.00 |
| Average (mean) | $205,980 | $99.03 |
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 | $14,723.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,361.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,795.38 |
| Weekly | $3,397.69 |
| Hourly | $84.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $183,350 | 20,080 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $133,000 | 2,380 |
| Worcester, MA | $129,400 | 1,210 |
| Springfield, MA | $123,320 | 770 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $122,670 | 170 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $122,640 | 250 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $107,400 | 160 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $221,710 | $106.59 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $69,100 | $33.22 |
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for lawyers in Massachusetts is $176,680 a year, or $84.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $374,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of lawyers in Massachusetts earn at least $374,410 a year. The top 25% earn $282,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,100 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $119,960 or less.
How many lawyers work in Massachusetts?
About 23,560 lawyers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.