Lawyer salary in Salem, OR
Lawyers in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $156,070 a year ($75.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,430 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 13% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $138,210. There are 4.1 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $158,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,250 | $38.10 |
| 25th percentile | $101,730 | $48.91 |
| Median | $156,070 | $75.04 |
| 75th percentile | $206,800 | $99.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,430 | $108.38 |
| Average (mean) | $158,620 | $76.26 |
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 | $13,005.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,502.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,002.69 |
| Weekly | $3,001.35 |
| Hourly | $75.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | $162,880 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $155,330 | 5,170 |
| Medford, OR | $127,970 | 170 |
| Bend, OR | $123,930 | 300 |
| Corvallis, OR | $123,650 | 70 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $111,850 | 420 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $104,520 | 40 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $57,230 | $27.52 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for lawyers in the Salem, OR metro area is $156,070 a year, or $75.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $225,430 a year. The top 25% earn $206,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,250 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $101,730 or less.
How many lawyers work in Salem, OR?
About 780 lawyers are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.