Lawyer Salary in Boston, MA
Lawyers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $183,350 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $127,638 take-home, or $10,637 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$32,738
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,368
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,659
- Massachusetts income tax$8,948
- Take-home pay$127,638
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Lawyer pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,280 | $40.52 | $64,127 | $5,344 |
| 25th percentile | $128,670 | $61.86 | $92,998 | $7,750 |
| Median (50th) | $183,350 | $88.15 | $127,638 | $10,637 |
| 75th percentile | $309,920+ | $149.00 | $206,116 | $17,176 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $379,350+ | $182.38 | $246,142 | $20,512 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $183,350 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $127,638 take-home pay has the buying power of $117,893 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.5× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #16 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 |
| 16 | Boston, MA | $183,350 | $127,638 | $117,893 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $123,320
- Worcester, MA — $129,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Boston, MA?
The median lawyer salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $183,350 a year, or about $88.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,670 and $239,200+.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $183,350 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $127,638 a year ($10,637 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,948 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $117,893 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #16 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 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 Boston, MA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $79,850