Lawyer salary in Richmond, VA
Lawyers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $144,910 a year ($69.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $342,110 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 13% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $167,210. There are 5.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $173,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| 25th percentile | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Median | $144,910 | $69.67 |
| 75th percentile | $215,680 | $103.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $342,110 | $164.48 |
| Average (mean) | $173,400 | $83.37 |
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 | $12,075.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,037.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,573.46 |
| Weekly | $2,786.73 |
| Hourly | $69.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $195,190 | 46,840 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $149,430 | 390 |
| Roanoke, VA | $134,440 | 480 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $133,380 | 2,280 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $127,070 | 130 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $124,760 | 140 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $122,110 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $107,560 | 300 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $106,500 | 130 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $103,530 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $53,480 | $25.71 |
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $144,910 a year, or $69.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $342,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $342,110 a year. The top 25% earn $215,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,210 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $100,490 or less.
How many lawyers work in Richmond, VA?
About 3,780 lawyers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.