Lawyer Salaries in Oregon

$130,000 Average Salary
26% Below National Average
$116K Median
$182K Top 10%
$75K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Oregon Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $130,000 (-26% below national)
  • Career Range: $75,191 (Entry) → $259,000 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($184K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($218K), In-House ($144K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Idaho ; Below California, Washington

Portland offers a smaller but collegial legal market with strong environmental and land use practices. Nike, Intel, and other corporations provide in-house opportunities. Quality of life attracts attorneys willing to accept lower pay.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Oregon

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$75,191
Median: $63K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$107,300
Median: $95K
6-10 years
Senior
$144,300
Median: $127K
10+ years
Partner
$259,000
Median: $211K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Oregon can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $75,191, experienced partners earn $259,000 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Oregon

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$218,300
Entry: $167K Senior: $322K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$136,900
Entry: $115K Senior: $204K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$81,400
Entry: $56K Senior: $122K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$62,900
Entry: $37K Senior: $111K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$144,300
Entry: $85K Senior: $236K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$72,520
Entry: $48K Senior: $110K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$53,280
Entry: $41K Senior: $70K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Oregon, BigLaw pays $145,780 more than government roles ($218,300 vs $72,520). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Oregon

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $184K Entry: $107K | Senior: $281K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $172K Entry: $111K | Senior: $296K ⚖ Antitrust Law $167K Entry: $107K | Senior: $281K 📈 Securities Law $159K Entry: $104K | Senior: $266K 🏛 Corporate Law $153K Entry: $100K | Senior: $259K © Intellectual Property $147K Entry: $93K | Senior: $237K 🏦 Banking & Finance $147K Entry: $96K | Senior: $248K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $137K Entry: $85K | Senior: $218K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $137K Entry: $85K | Senior: $218K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $132K Entry: $81K | Senior: $211K 📊 Tax Law $130K Entry: $81K | Senior: $207K ⚖ Energy Law $130K Entry: $81K | Senior: $207K 🌐 International Law $127K Entry: $78K | Senior: $204K 🎬 Entertainment Law $124K Entry: $63K | Senior: $204K ⚖ International Trade Law $124K Entry: $78K | Senior: $200K 🏥 Healthcare Law $122K Entry: $74K | Senior: $196K ⚖ Government Contracts $122K Entry: $74K | Senior: $196K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $115K Entry: $70K | Senior: $185K ⚖ Aviation Law $115K Entry: $70K | Senior: $181K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $110K Entry: $56K | Senior: $178K ⚖ Maritime Law $110K Entry: $65K | Senior: $174K 🔨 Litigation $109K Entry: $70K | Senior: $185K 👔 Employment Law $105K Entry: $65K | Senior: $170K ⚖ Sports Law $105K Entry: $56K | Senior: $174K 🏠 Real Estate $102K Entry: $63K | Senior: $163K 🏗 Construction Law $102K Entry: $61K | Senior: $163K 🌿 Environmental Law $100K Entry: $61K | Senior: $159K 🛒 Insurance Law $95K Entry: $58K | Senior: $152K 🩹 Personal Injury $93K Entry: $48K | Senior: $148K 📜 Estate Planning $80K Entry: $46K | Senior: $130K ⚖ Education Law $78K Entry: $46K | Senior: $122K 👪 Family Law $77K Entry: $43K | Senior: $122K 🚓 Criminal Law $73K Entry: $38K | Senior: $115K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $73K Entry: $48K | Senior: $110K 🧰 Workers Compensation $73K Entry: $43K | Senior: $115K ⚖ Criminal Defense $73K Entry: $38K | Senior: $115K 👴 Elder Law $68K Entry: $41K | Senior: $107K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $65K Entry: $38K | Senior: $107K 🌍 Immigration Law $64K Entry: $41K | Senior: $104K
Practice Area Comparison

In Oregon, Patent Law lawyers earn $120,022 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($183,709 vs $63,687). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Oregon Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 13,500+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 3 ABA Law Schools
📍 Portland Largest Legal Market
📈 105% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Oregon

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 6.7 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $218K
4 yrs
In-House $144K
6 yrs
Government $73K
12 yrs PSLF eligible
At Oregon's average salary of $130,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 6.7 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Oregon compares to neighboring states

Oregon Current
$130K
California
$184K +41%
Washington
$148K +13%
Nevada
$136K +5%
Idaho
$100K -23%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Oregon has a cost of living 5% above the national average. While lawyer salaries are 26% below national, the higher expenses may offset some gains. Median home price: $490,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Oregon is $130,000, which is 26% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $75,191 for entry-level positions to $259,000 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Oregon, with an average salary of $183,709. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $107,300, while senior attorneys can earn $281,200 or more.

First-year lawyers in Oregon earn an average of $75,191. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $166,500+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $48,100 to $55,500.

Major BigLaw firms in Oregon typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Oregon is approximately $218,300, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Oregon ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $130,000 is 26% lower than compared to California ($184K), Washington ($148K), Nevada ($136K).

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