Lawyer Salary in Dayton, OH
Lawyers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median $104,170 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,031 take-home, or $6,669 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Dayton, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,087
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,459
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,510
- Ohio income tax$2,082
- Take-home pay$80,031
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Dayton, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,510 | $32.94 | $55,925 | $4,660 |
| 25th percentile | $81,510 | $39.19 | $64,713 | $5,393 |
| Median (50th) | $104,170 | $50.08 | $80,031 | $6,669 |
| 75th percentile | $170,930 | $82.18 | $124,178 | $10,348 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,580 | $102.68 | $153,838 | $12,820 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,170 buys in Dayton, OH
Prices in Dayton, OH are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $80,031 take-home pay has the buying power of $86,339 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 less concentrated in Dayton, OH than nationally (location quotient 0.58), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Dayton, OH ranks #132 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 |
| 132 | Dayton, OH | $104,170 | $80,031 | $86,339 |
*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 Ohio
- Columbus, OH — $137,810
- Cleveland, OH — $134,680
- Cincinnati, OH — $130,980
- Akron, OH — $126,270
- Canton, OH — $119,210
- Toledo, OH — $113,920
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Dayton, OH?
The median lawyer salary in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $104,170 a year, or about $50.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,510 and $170,930.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Dayton, OH?
On the median $104,170 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $80,031 a year ($6,669 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,082 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $86,339 would in a typical U.S. city. Dayton, OH ranks #132 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dayton, OH is $1,009 a month ($1,273 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dayton, OH
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $58,680