The salary range for a lawyer in New York runs from $85,200 at the 10th percentile to $391,420 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $127,580 at the 25th percentile and $322,120 at the 75th percentile, which is the range most relevant for budgeting a typical hire. Use the 25th-to-75th percentile band as your core planning range and adjust up or down based on the seniority and specialization of the role.
Lawyer salary in New York (2026)
The average annual salary for a lawyer in New York is $220,180. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $207,860 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. New York employs 91,870 lawyers, and the $12,320 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior lawyers in New York typically earn around $85,200, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $391,420 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a lawyer hire in New York, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $207,860 |
Average Annual Salary | $220,180 |
vs. National Average | 18.5% above the national mean of $185,840 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 91,870 employed lawyers across New York.
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Lawyer salary percentiles in New York
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $85,200 |
25th Percentile | $127,580 |
75th Percentile | $322,120 |
90th Percentile | $391,420 |
When setting an offer for a lawyer in New York, the wide spread from $85,200 at the 10th percentile to $391,420 at the 90th percentile means seniority and practice area will drive your number more than geography alone. Anchoring your offer to the 25th percentile ($127,580) works for entry-level roles, while experienced hires in specialized practices will push toward and beyond the 75th percentile of $322,120.
Lawyer salary by city in New York
City | Average Annual Salary |
New York City | $224,840 |
Rochester | $180,460 |
Syracuse | $156,340 |
Albany | $150,520 |
Buffalo | $143,440 |
Where you hire in New York will materially affect your compensation budget, so location should be an explicit input in your offer planning. New York City averages $224,840, while Buffalo averages $143,440, a difference of more than $81,000 per year for the same role. If your team can operate from a secondary market, that gap represents a real cost-per-hire advantage worth factoring into your headcount model.
How New York compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
New York | $220,180 | $207,860 |
California | $230,040 | $195,080 |
Massachusetts | $205,980 | $176,680 |
New Jersey | $184,090 | $161,430 |
Texas | $180,370 | $154,200 |
Pennsylvania | $169,170 | $157,180 |
Employers hiring lawyers in New York should expect compensation expectations to run higher than most peer states, with only California exceeding New York's average. New York's mean of $220,180 sits above Massachusetts ($205,980), New Jersey ($184,090), Texas ($180,370), and Pennsylvania ($169,170), so candidates relocating from those markets may still expect a pay increase. Budget accordingly when competing for talent that has offers from California, where the average reaches $230,040.
Frequently asked questions about lawyer salary in New York
What is the salary range for a lawyer in New York?
What do the top-earning lawyers make in New York?
Lawyers at the 90th percentile in New York earn $391,420 per year. Senior specialists in high-demand practice areas drive compensation to this level and above, so if you are competing for that tier of talent, your offer will need to reflect it. Use the 90th percentile as a directional benchmark rather than a ceiling when recruiting experienced lawyers in specialized fields.
What is the average lawyer salary in New York?
The average lawyer salary in New York is $220,180 per year. The median of $207,860 is a more grounded reference point for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of very high earners pulls the average above what most candidates will expect. Start your offer conversations anchored to the median and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience and practice area.
How does New York compare to other states for lawyer salary?
New York ranks second among the comparison states, with a mean of $220,180 trailing only California at $230,040. Neighboring states like New Jersey ($184,090) and Pennsylvania ($169,170) pay meaningfully less on average, so candidates from those markets will likely expect a pay increase when moving to New York. Factor this premium into your budget if you are recruiting from out of state or competing against California-based employers.
Lawyer salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 23-1011 (Lawyers).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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