Lawyer Salary in Roanoke, VA
Lawyers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median $134,440 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $96,240 take-home, or $8,020 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Roanoke, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,000
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,335
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,949
- Virginia income tax$6,916
- Take-home pay$96,240
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.75% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Roanoke, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,870 | $36.96 | $59,302 | $4,942 |
| 25th percentile | $101,410 | $48.75 | $75,155 | $6,263 |
| Median (50th) | $134,440 | $64.63 | $96,240 | $8,020 |
| 75th percentile | $176,470 | $84.84 | $122,550 | $10,213 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $253,750+ | $122.00 | $171,867 | $14,322 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,440 buys in Roanoke, VA
Prices in Roanoke, VA are 6.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $96,240 take-home pay has the buying power of $102,800 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 Roanoke, VA than nationally (location quotient 0.64), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Roanoke, VA ranks #56 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 |
| 56 | Roanoke, VA | $134,440 | $96,240 | $102,800 |
*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
- Richmond, VA — $144,910
- Virginia Beach, VA — $133,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Roanoke, VA?
The median lawyer salary in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $134,440 a year, or about $64.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $101,410 and $176,470.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Roanoke, VA?
On the median $134,440 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $96,240 a year ($8,020 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,916 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 6.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $102,800 would in a typical U.S. city. Roanoke, VA ranks #56 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Roanoke, VA is $1,020 a month ($1,200 for two bedrooms) — 13% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.