Lawyer salary in Rochester, MN
Lawyers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $129,270 a year ($62.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,240 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 17% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $155,140. There are 1.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $154,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| 25th percentile | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Median | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| 75th percentile | $169,020 | $81.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $314,240 | $151.08 |
| Average (mean) | $154,200 | $74.14 |
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 | $10,772.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,386.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,971.92 |
| Weekly | $2,485.96 |
| Hourly | $62.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $159,620 | 10,160 |
| Mankato, MN | $130,020 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $129,120 | 260 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $118,860 | 300 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,260 | 570 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $111,090 | 410 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $104,910 | 130 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $104,210 | 90 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $61,230 | $29.44 |
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for lawyers in the Rochester, MN metro area is $129,270 a year, or $62.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $314,240 a year. The top 25% earn $169,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,790 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $100,050 or less.
How many lawyers work in Rochester, MN?
About 210 lawyers are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.