Lawyer Salary in Richmond, VA
Lawyers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $144,910 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $102,794 take-home, or $8,566 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$23,512
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,984
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,101
- Virginia income tax$7,518
- Take-home pay$102,794
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.75% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,210 | $37.12 | $59,522 | $4,960 |
| 25th percentile | $100,490 | $48.31 | $74,561 | $6,213 |
| Median (50th) | $144,910 | $69.67 | $102,794 | $8,566 |
| 75th percentile | $215,680 | $103.69 | $148,888 | $12,407 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $342,110+ | $164.48 | $222,701 | $18,558 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $144,910 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $102,794 take-home pay has the buying power of $105,044 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 about as common in Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #49 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 |
| 49 | Richmond, VA | $144,910 | $102,794 | $105,044 |
*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 Virginia
- Roanoke, VA — $134,440
- Virginia Beach, VA — $133,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Richmond, VA?
The median lawyer salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $144,910 a year, or about $69.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $100,490 and $215,680.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $144,910 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $102,794 a year ($8,566 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,518 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $105,044 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #49 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 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 Richmond, VA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $62,940