SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lawyers — Albany
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY · 10 metro areas compared
In Albany, NY the median wage is $131,310.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Albany, NY the median wage is $131,310. That is 17.8% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay ranges from under $82,090 at the tenth percentile to more than $263,130 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $101,070 to $171,250.
The area has 3,180 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.46 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, New York records the highest median at $208,880. Of the 557 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 36th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,090 | −48.6% |
| 25th | $101,070 | −36.7% |
| Median (50th) | $131,310 | −17.8% |
| 75th | $171,250 | +7.3% |
| 90th | $263,130 | +64.8% |
| Mean | $150,520 | −5.7% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $208,880 | 94,610 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $148,150 | 1,710 | |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $138,630 | 910 | |
| 4 | Watertown | $136,970 | 70 | |
| 5 | Ithaca | $135,610 | 130 | |
| 6 | Buffalo | $130,800 | 2,930 | |
| 7 | Utica | $130,100 | 250 | |
| 8 | Binghamton | $129,480 | 300 | |
| 9 | Syracuse | $128,910 | 1,190 | |
| 10 | Elmira | $126,900 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Albany run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $131,310 buys what $121,696 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 23.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$131,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$121,696US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $131,310 a year, 17.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $82,090 to $263,130 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New York, at $208,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lawyers in Albany, NY?
The median annual wage is $131,310, or $63.13 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $159,670, so pay in Albany, NY is 17.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Albany, NY earns more than $263,130 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $82,090 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in New York, at $208,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,180 jobs in this occupation in Albany, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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