How much does a lawyer make in Boston?
$183,400a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. That is $88.15 an hour or $15,280 a month.
- Hourly
- $88.15
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among cities
- 7 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 20,080
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $84,280Median: $183,400Highest 10%: $379,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $84,280 | $40.52 | |
| 25th | $128,700 | $61.86 | |
| Median | $183,400 | $88.15 | |
| 75th | $309,900 | $149.00 | |
| 90th | $379,400 | $182.38 |
Other cities in Massachusetts
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| Providence, RI | $133,000 |
| Worcester, MA | $129,400 |
| Springfield, MA | $123,300 |
| Amherst Town, MA | $122,700 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $122,600 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $107,400 |
Related jobs in Boston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Judge | $221,700 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $143,400 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $113,800 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $79,850 |
| Legal Support Worker | $78,850 |
| Title Examiner | $68,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in Boston?
The median hourly pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $88.15 ($183,400 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Boston than the national average?
Yes: $183,400 against $159,700 nationally, 15% more.
How does Boston compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
The median in Massachusetts is $176,700, so Boston pays 4% more.
Where does Boston rank for lawyer pay?
7 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Boston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $84,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $379,400 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.