SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lawyers — Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
At $102,950, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Lawyers, 35.5% beneath the national figure of $159,670.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $102,950, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Lawyers, 35.5% beneath the national figure of $159,670. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $80,540 and $157,330. The lowest tenth earn under $66,060, while the highest tenth earn more than $189,790.
Employment stands at 320, or 2.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Charlottesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $149,430. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 20th of 327 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,060 | −58.6% |
| 25th | $80,540 | −49.6% |
| Median (50th) | $102,950 | −35.5% |
| 75th | $157,330 | −1.5% |
| 90th | $189,790 | +18.9% |
| Mean | $128,650 | −19.4% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $149,430 | 390 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $144,910 | 3,780 | |
| 3 | Roanoke | $134,440 | 480 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $133,380 | 2,280 | |
| 5 | Harrisonburg | $127,070 | 130 | |
| 6 | Winchester | $124,760 | 140 | |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $122,110 | 250 | |
| 8 | Blacksburg | $106,500 | 130 | |
| 9 | Staunton | $103,530 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $102,950 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$102,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$101,830US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $102,950 a year, 35.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,060 to $189,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $149,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lawyers in Southwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $102,950, or $49.49 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 Southwest Virginia, VA is 35.5% 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 Southwest Virginia, VA earns more than $189,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,060 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 Charlottesville, at $149,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 320 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Virginia, VA. 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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