Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $180,900 ($86.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $84,000/year and the 90th was $383,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $126,186 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$180,900$86.97 per hour · $15,075 monthly
10th Percentile$84,000$40.38/hr base
25th Percentile$122,800$59.04/hr base
75th Percentile$288,800$138.85/hr base
90th Percentile$383,300$184.28/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$180,900
$70,000$365,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$180,900
Net 70%
Fed 18%
MA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$126,186After all taxes
Monthly deposit$10,516Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,853Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate30.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$32,150 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$8,725 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$13,839 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$40.38/hr$7,000$84,000$64,044
25th Percentile$59.04/hr$10,233$122,800$89,380
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$86.97/hr$15,075$180,900$126,186
75th Percentile$138.85/hr$24,067$288,800$194,040
90th Percentile$184.28/hr$31,942$383,300$248,519

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$180,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.38.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio156.1%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Massachusetts:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

What is the median salary for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $180,900, which equates to approximately $15,075 per month or $86.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $86.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $40.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $184.28/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH span from $84,000 at the 10th percentile to $122,800 at the 25th, $288,800 at the 75th, and $383,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On a median gross salary of $180,900, an estimated $126,186 lands in net take-home pay per year ($4,853 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $54,714 (an effective rate of 30.2%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On the median annual salary of $180,900, gross monthly income is $15,075. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $10,516 per month (or $4,853 every two weeks).

Is $180,900 a good salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

At $180,900, the median salary for lawyers is 156.1% of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH median household income ($115,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.3, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.