Lawyer Salary in Massachusetts: $172K Median

The average Lawyer salary in Massachusetts is $171,997 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $76,700 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $295,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Lawyers in Massachusetts earn approximately 18% more than the US national median ($145,760 nationally vs $171,997 in Massachusetts). Massachusetts's cost-of-living index of 130 partially offsets the higher salary.

Yes — Lawyer salaries in Massachusetts grew approximately 440.0% year-over-year, from $31,851 in 2025 to $171,997 in 2026. This reflects the broader Legal sector's wage growth, driven by Legal AI tools and M&A demand.

Top-paying Massachusetts metros for Lawyers: Boston ($189K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

Lawyer roles growing 5% nationally. Big Law associate salaries hit $225K starting in 2026. AI-skilled lawyers commanding premiums. Massachusetts's top industries include Biotech/Pharma, Higher Education, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.

Yes, Massachusetts has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $171,997, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: Legal AI tools, M&A, Privacy law, Tech transactions, Compliance. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Massachusetts employers.

Market for my class year at peer firms is $X plus the standard year-end bonus. I'd like to match market on base with a clear bonus structure tied to billable hours. Beyond base, negotiate: Year-end / Cravath-scale bonus, Bar exam fees, prep courses, admission costs in additional states, CLE allowance and bar association dues, Hybrid or remote schedule (now common post-2024). Walk-away anchor for Massachusetts: $156,361.