Lawyer Salary in Providence, RI
Lawyers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $133,000 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $97,456 take-home, or $8,121 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,654
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,246
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,929
- Rhode Island income tax$4,716
- Take-home pay$97,456
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Lawyer pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,200 | $38.56 | $62,860 | $5,238 |
| 25th percentile | $104,480 | $50.23 | $78,971 | $6,581 |
| Median (50th) | $133,000 | $63.94 | $97,456 | $8,121 |
| 75th percentile | $195,080 | $93.79 | $137,595 | $11,466 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $268,330+ | $129.00 | $183,261 | $15,272 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $133,000 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $97,456 take-home pay has the buying power of $95,758 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 Providence, RI than nationally (location quotient 0.69), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #105 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 |
| 105 | Providence, RI | $133,000 | $97,456 | $95,758 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Providence, RI?
The median lawyer salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $133,000 a year, or about $63.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,480 and $195,080.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $133,000 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $97,456 a year ($8,121 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,716 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $95,758 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #105 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $57,100