Lawyer Salaries in Massachusetts

$167,000 Average Salary
5% Below National Average
$152K Median
$248K Top 10%
$97K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Massachusetts Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $167,000 (-5% below national)
  • Career Range: $96,530 (Entry) → $332,500 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($236K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($280K), In-House ($185K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Connecticut, Rhode Island ; Below New York

Boston is a hub for life sciences, biotech, and venture capital law. Harvard and MIT fuel innovation that drives legal demand. The city has a collegial legal culture with strong Ropes & Gray and Goodwin presence. Biotech patent litigation is a particular specialty.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Massachusetts

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$96,530
Median: $81K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$137,750
Median: $122K
6-10 years
Senior
$185,250
Median: $163K
10+ years
Partner
$332,500
Median: $271K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Massachusetts can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $96,530, experienced partners earn $332,500 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Massachusetts

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$280,250
Entry: $214K Senior: $413K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$175,750
Entry: $147K Senior: $261K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$104,500
Entry: $71K Senior: $157K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$80,750
Entry: $48K Senior: $143K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$185,250
Entry: $109K Senior: $303K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$93,100
Entry: $62K Senior: $141K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$68,400
Entry: $52K Senior: $90K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Massachusetts, BigLaw pays $187,150 more than government roles ($280,250 vs $93,100). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Massachusetts

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $236K Entry: $138K | Senior: $361K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $220K Entry: $143K | Senior: $380K ⚖ Antitrust Law $214K Entry: $138K | Senior: $361K 📈 Securities Law $204K Entry: $133K | Senior: $342K 🏛 Corporate Law $197K Entry: $128K | Senior: $333K © Intellectual Property $189K Entry: $119K | Senior: $304K 🏦 Banking & Finance $188K Entry: $124K | Senior: $318K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $176K Entry: $109K | Senior: $280K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $176K Entry: $109K | Senior: $280K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $169K Entry: $105K | Senior: $271K 📊 Tax Law $166K Entry: $105K | Senior: $266K ⚖ Energy Law $166K Entry: $105K | Senior: $266K 🌐 International Law $163K Entry: $100K | Senior: $261K 🎬 Entertainment Law $160K Entry: $81K | Senior: $261K ⚖ International Trade Law $160K Entry: $100K | Senior: $257K 🏥 Healthcare Law $157K Entry: $95K | Senior: $252K ⚖ Government Contracts $157K Entry: $95K | Senior: $252K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $147K Entry: $90K | Senior: $238K ⚖ Aviation Law $147K Entry: $90K | Senior: $233K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $141K Entry: $71K | Senior: $228K ⚖ Maritime Law $141K Entry: $84K | Senior: $223K 🔨 Litigation $140K Entry: $90K | Senior: $238K 👔 Employment Law $135K Entry: $84K | Senior: $219K ⚖ Sports Law $135K Entry: $71K | Senior: $223K 🏠 Real Estate $131K Entry: $81K | Senior: $209K 🏗 Construction Law $131K Entry: $78K | Senior: $209K 🌿 Environmental Law $128K Entry: $78K | Senior: $204K 🛒 Insurance Law $122K Entry: $74K | Senior: $195K 🩹 Personal Injury $119K Entry: $62K | Senior: $190K 📜 Estate Planning $103K Entry: $59K | Senior: $166K ⚖ Education Law $100K Entry: $59K | Senior: $157K 👪 Family Law $99K Entry: $55K | Senior: $157K 🚓 Criminal Law $93K Entry: $49K | Senior: $147K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $93K Entry: $62K | Senior: $141K 🧰 Workers Compensation $93K Entry: $55K | Senior: $147K ⚖ Criminal Defense $93K Entry: $49K | Senior: $147K 👴 Elder Law $87K Entry: $52K | Senior: $138K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $84K Entry: $49K | Senior: $138K 🌍 Immigration Law $82K Entry: $52K | Senior: $133K
Practice Area Comparison

In Massachusetts, Patent Law lawyers earn $154,082 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($235,843 vs $81,761). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Massachusetts Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 42,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 7 ABA Law Schools
🏛 5+ AmLaw 100 Firms
📍 Boston Largest Legal Market
📈 125% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Massachusetts

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 5.2 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $280K
3.1 yrs
In-House $185K
4.7 yrs
Government $93K
9.3 yrs PSLF eligible
At Massachusetts's average salary of $167,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 5.2 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Massachusetts compares to neighboring states

Massachusetts Current
$167K
New York
$198K +19%
Connecticut
$159K -5%
Rhode Island
$118K -29%
New Hampshire
$115K -31%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Massachusetts has a cost of living 25% above the national average. While lawyer salaries are 5% below national, the higher expenses may offset some gains. Median home price: $620,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Massachusetts is $167,000, which is 5% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $96,530 for entry-level positions to $332,500 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Massachusetts, with an average salary of $235,843. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $137,750, while senior attorneys can earn $361,000 or more.

First-year lawyers in Massachusetts earn an average of $96,530. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $213,750+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $61,750 to $71,250.

Major BigLaw firms in Massachusetts typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Massachusetts is approximately $280,250, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Massachusetts ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $167,000 is 5% lower than compared to New York ($198K), Connecticut ($159K), Rhode Island ($118K).

Work as a Lawyer in Massachusetts?

Help other legal professionals by sharing your salary information anonymously. Your contribution helps create salary transparency in the legal industry.

Submit Your Salary