Lawyers in Colorado. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Lawyers in Colorado earned a median wage of $167,970 in 2024, about 12% above the national median of $149,496. The mean came in at $208,710, which is $41,000 above the median. That gap tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up considerably.
The available wage data covers the lower half of the distribution. The 10th percentile sat at $81,940 and the 25th at $110,160. That $28,000 jump between those two points alone shows how quickly pay accelerates as lawyers move past entry level. BLS did not publish 75th or 90th percentile figures for this state, so we cannot say how wide the full range runs, but the mean-to-median gap suggests the upper end stretches well past $200,000 for some.
Colorado's cost-of-living index sits at 103, just slightly above the national baseline of 100. At that level, the nominal premium over the national median is almost entirely real. A Colorado lawyer earning the state median takes home purchasing power close to what the headline number suggests, unlike high-COL states where a bigger paycheck buys less.
BLS projects employment for lawyers to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average. That puts the occupation in line with most of the broader labor market rather than ahead of it.
Salary distribution
Where Colorado lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $107,420 and $233,910, with a median of $168,520.
Lawyers in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 11 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $225,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $109,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $225,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $285,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $420,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | Associate | 2 | $330,000 |
| 3rd Judicial District District Attorneys Office | Deputy District Attorney | 1 | $73,000 |
| Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP | Attorney | 1 | $124,800 |
| Consilio Services, LLC | Product Counsel | 1 | $245,003 |
| Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP | Senior Associate | 1 | $285,000 |
| Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $200,000 |
| Holland & Hart LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $212,300 |
| Honigman LLP | Attorney | 1 | $405,000 |
| Joseph Law Firm | Associate Attorney | 1 | $93,200 |
| King & Spalding LLP | Associate | 1 | $420,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Product Counsel at Consilio Services, LLC$245,003BreckenridgeWage Level IIDecided Nov 18, 2025I-203-25314-395051
- Senior Associate at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP$285,000DenverWage Level IIIDecided Jul 15, 2025I-200-25190-160813
- Associate Attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP$200,000DenverWage Level IDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-020604
- Attorney at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP$124,800BoulderWage Level IDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-981014
- Deputy District Attorney at 3rd Judicial District District Attorneys Office$73,000WalsenburgWage Level IDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-982919
- Attorney at Honigman LLP$405,000BoulderWage Level IVDecided May 9, 2025I-200-25122-931116
- Associate Attorney at Holland & Hart LLP$212,300DenverWage Level IIDecided Apr 25, 2025I-200-25108-881660
- Senior Associate at Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.$435,000DenverWage Level IVDecided Feb 19, 2025I-203-25042-683935
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Colorado
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.
Lawyers in Colorado, by industry
Median offered wage across 11 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $235,002.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | 10 | $235,002 |
| Government and public sector | 3rd Judicial District District Attorneys Office | 1 | $73,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado 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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Explore coursesTop metros in Colorado
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$177,380
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Colorado with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Colorado is $168,520.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Colorado median is +5.8% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $83,350 and the 90th-percentile at $336,970, 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.
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.