Lawyers in Alaska. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Alaska's median wage for Lawyers came in at $132,710 in 2024, about 11% below the national median of $149,496. That gap is worth sitting with. Alaska is one of the more expensive states to live in, so the nominal discount understates how far behind the purchasing power actually runs.
After adjusting for Alaska's cost-of-living index of 105.6, the effective median lands closer to $125,700 in national-baseline dollars. That puts Alaska lawyers noticeably below peers in most lower-cost states, even ones where the headline wage looks smaller.
The spread across Alaska's lawyers is wide. The bottom tenth of earners made around $83,570 in 2024, while the top tenth reached $195,830. Top earners made roughly 2.3 times what bottom earners made. That kind of range typically reflects differences in practice area, seniority, and whether someone works in the private sector, government, or a nonprofit. With only about 1,040 lawyers employed statewide, a relatively small number of high-earning partners or specialists can pull the average up noticeably, which explains why the mean of $140,520 sits about $7,800 above the median.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally between 2024 and 2034, at 4.2%. Nothing in the Alaska data contradicts that general picture, though the small employment base means local hiring conditions can shift meaningfully from one year to the next.
Salary distribution
Where Alaska lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $117,340 and $190,740, with a median of $149,940.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Alaska
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Alaska over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Reading for lawyers
Guides, negotiation playbooks, and data reports on RateOrchard for this role.
- insightsHow Lawyers can negotiate a higher salary in 2026Lawyers' national median salary is $159,328 in 2025. Use BLS OES data, the $26k mean gap, and this negotiation frame to defend a higher offer in 2026.
- compareLawyers vs Chief Executives: which pays more in 2026Lawyers earn a median of $159,328 vs a CEO median that exceeds $239,200. We break down which pays more by career stage, state, and risk tolerance.
Related roles in Alaska
Occupations in the same field, with Alaska salary data.
How Lawyers pay compares nationally
Put this Alaska figure in context with our national salary data reports.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Alaska?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Alaska is $149,940.
- How does Alaska compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Alaska median is -5.9% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Alaska?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $86,230 and the 90th-percentile at $281,780, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.