Boulder, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Boulder, CO

In the Boulder, CO metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $172,000 ($82.69/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $85,100/year and the 90th was $344,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $121,968 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$172,000$82.69 per hour · $14,333 monthly
10th Percentile$85,100$40.91/hr base
25th Percentile$109,700$52.74/hr base
75th Percentile$238,800$114.81/hr base
90th Percentile$344,000$165.38/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

$172,000
$65,000$345,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$172,000
Net 71%
Fed 17%
CO 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$121,968After all taxes
Monthly deposit$10,164Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,691Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate29.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$30,014 / yr
Colorado state income tax$6,860 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$13,158 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Boulder, CO

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 Boulder, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$40.91/hr$7,092$85,100$65,662
25th Percentile$52.74/hr$9,142$109,700$81,886
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$82.69/hr$14,333$172,000$121,968
75th Percentile$114.81/hr$19,900$238,800$166,030
90th Percentile$165.38/hr$28,667$344,000$228,135

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boulder, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$172,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$103,994Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.25.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio165.4%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Boulder, CO

What is the median salary for lawyers in Boulder, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Boulder, CO is $172,000, which equates to approximately $14,333 per month or $82.69 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Boulder, CO?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Boulder, CO is $82.69 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $40.91/hour and one in ten earned more than $165.38/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Boulder, CO?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Boulder, CO span from $85,100 at the 10th percentile to $109,700 at the 25th, $238,800 at the 75th, and $344,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Boulder, CO?

On a median gross salary of $172,000, an estimated $121,968 lands in net take-home pay per year ($4,691 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $50,032 (an effective rate of 29.1%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Boulder, CO?

On the median annual salary of $172,000, gross monthly income is $14,333. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $10,164 per month (or $4,691 every two weeks).

Is $172,000 a good salary in Boulder, CO?

At $172,000, the median salary for lawyers is 165.4% of the Boulder, CO median household income ($103,994). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.2, making regional consumer goods and services 5.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.