Lawyer salary in Missouri
Lawyers in Missouri earn a median of $133,450 a year ($64.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $299,990 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Missouri ranks 23rd of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.9 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $162,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| 25th percentile | $89,900 | $43.22 |
| Median | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| 75th percentile | $197,110 | $94.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $299,990 | $144.23 |
| Average (mean) | $162,820 | $78.28 |
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 | $11,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,560.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,132.69 |
| Weekly | $2,566.35 |
| Hourly | $64.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,690 | 6,100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $134,640 | 5,310 |
| Columbia, MO | $107,890 | 400 |
| Springfield, MO | $103,790 | 710 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $97,370 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $96,190 | 180 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,600 | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $93,320 | 490 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $69,350 | $33.34 |
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 Missouri?
The median salary for lawyers in Missouri is $133,450 a year, or $64.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $299,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Missouri?
The top 10% of lawyers in Missouri earn at least $299,990 a year. The top 25% earn $197,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,020 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $89,900 or less.
How many lawyers work in Missouri?
About 11,560 lawyers are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.