Lawyer Salary in Tampa, FL
Lawyers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $127,490 a year — 20% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $98,405 take-home, or $8,200 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,332
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,904
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,849
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$98,405
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Lawyer pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,560 | $36.33 | $61,986 | $5,166 |
| 25th percentile | $90,670 | $43.59 | $72,616 | $6,051 |
| Median (50th) | $127,490 | $61.29 | $98,405 | $8,200 |
| 75th percentile | $172,360 | $82.87 | $129,074 | $10,756 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $255,310+ | $122.75 | $186,668 | $15,556 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $127,490 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $98,405 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,537 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lawyer jobs are about as common in Tampa, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #42 of 47 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | $139,838 | $120,953 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $157,980 | $119,245 | $120,903 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | $122,673 | $119,618 |
| 42 | Tampa, FL | $127,490 | $98,405 | $97,537 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 47 metros →
About the job: lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Miami, FL — $160,320
- Orlando, FL — $136,970
- Jacksonville, FL — $127,920
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Tampa, FL?
The median lawyer salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $127,490 a year, or about $61.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $90,670 and $172,360.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $127,490 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $98,405 a year ($8,200 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 20% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,537 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #42 of 47 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $60,150