Lawyer Salary in Rochester, NY
Lawyers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $148,150 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $104,826 take-home, or $8,735 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,290
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,185
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,148
- New York income tax$7,701
- Take-home pay$104,826
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.90% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,190 | $39.51 | $62,809 | $5,234 |
| 25th percentile | $102,970 | $49.50 | $76,234 | $6,353 |
| Median (50th) | $148,150 | $71.23 | $104,826 | $8,735 |
| 75th percentile | $218,930 | $105.25 | $150,908 | $12,576 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $325,280+ | $156.38 | $211,896 | $17,658 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $148,150 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $104,826 take-home pay has the buying power of $108,029 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 Rochester, NY than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #35 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 |
| 35 | Rochester, NY | $148,150 | $104,826 | $108,029 |
*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 New York
- New York, NY — $208,880
- Buffalo, NY — $130,800
- Syracuse, NY — $128,910
- Albany, NY — $131,310
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $138,630
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Rochester, NY?
The median lawyer salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $148,150 a year, or about $71.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $102,970 and $218,930.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $148,150 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $104,826 a year ($8,735 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,701 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $108,029 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #35 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 14% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $57,250