Lawyer Salary in Lafayette, LA
Lawyers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median $111,160 a year — 30% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $84,083 take-home, or $7,007 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$15,625
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,892
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,612
- Louisiana income tax$2,949
- Take-home pay$84,083
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Lafayette, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,160 | $28.92 | $49,100 | $4,092 |
| 25th percentile | $90,370 | $43.45 | $70,080 | $5,840 |
| Median (50th) | $111,160 | $53.44 | $84,083 | $7,007 |
| 75th percentile | $156,720 | $75.35 | $114,069 | $9,506 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,890 | $106.68 | $158,457 | $13,205 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $111,160 buys in Lafayette, LA
Prices in Lafayette, LA are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $84,083 take-home pay has the buying power of $96,415 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 Lafayette, LA than nationally (location quotient 0.74), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Lafayette, LA ranks #100 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 |
| 100 | Lafayette, LA | $111,160 | $84,083 | $96,415 |
*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 Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $121,290
- Shreveport, LA — $98,900
- Baton Rouge, LA — $102,070
- Slidell, LA — $84,590
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Lafayette, LA?
The median lawyer salary in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $111,160 a year, or about $53.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $90,370 and $156,720.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Lafayette, LA?
On the median $111,160 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $84,083 a year ($7,007 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,949 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 30% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $96,415 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, LA ranks #100 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, LA is $847 a month ($974 for two bedrooms) — 12% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $52,130