Lawyer salary in New Haven, CT
Lawyers in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median of $166,080 a year ($79.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $313,820 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 2% higher than the Connecticut statewide median of $163,600. There are 4.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $174,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in New Haven, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| 25th percentile | $103,400 | $49.71 |
| Median | $166,080 | $79.84 |
| 75th percentile | $212,640 | $102.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $313,820 | $150.88 |
| Average (mean) | $174,080 | $83.69 |
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 | $13,840 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,920 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,387.69 |
| Weekly | $3,193.85 |
| Hourly | $79.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $180,610 | 2,100 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $157,380 | 450 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $157,200 | 3,880 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $128,040 | 280 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Haven, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $63,390 | $30.47 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $57,910 | $27.84 |
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 New Haven, CT?
The median salary for lawyers in the New Haven, CT metro area is $166,080 a year, or $79.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $313,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in New Haven, CT?
The top 10% of lawyers in the New Haven, CT metro area earn at least $313,820 a year. The top 25% earn $212,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in New Haven, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,570 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $103,400 or less.
How many lawyers work in New Haven, CT?
About 1,280 lawyers are employed in the New Haven, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.