Lawyer Salary in Atlanta, GA
Lawyers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $138,210 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $99,182 take-home, or $8,265 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$21,904
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,569
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,004
- Georgia income tax$6,550
- Take-home pay$99,182
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.19% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,750 | $28.25 | $46,959 | $3,913 |
| 25th percentile | $89,190 | $42.88 | $67,569 | $5,631 |
| Median (50th) | $138,210 | $66.45 | $99,182 | $8,265 |
| 75th percentile | $216,240 | $103.96 | $150,288 | $12,524 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $328,900+ | $158.13 | $216,835 | $18,070 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $138,210 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $99,182 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,125 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.3× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #75 of 149 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 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 75 | Atlanta, GA | $138,210 | $99,182 | $99,125 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Georgia
- Augusta, GA — $123,960
- Savannah, GA — $123,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Atlanta, GA?
The median lawyer salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $138,210 a year, or about $66.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $89,190 and $216,240.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $138,210 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $99,182 a year ($8,265 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,550 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,125 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #75 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates — $144,790
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $64,080
- Legal Support Workers, All Other — $62,740
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers — $51,170