Lawyers in Idaho. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Idaho lawyers earned a median of $102,280 in 2024, about 32% below the national median of $149,496. That gap is one of the larger state-level differences we see for this occupation, and it holds up even after adjusting for Idaho's lower cost of living.
Idaho's cost-of-living index sits at 95.1, meaning prices run roughly 5% below the US baseline. After accounting for that, the effective median lands around $107,500 in national-dollar terms. That still trails the national figure by about 28%. The gap is real, not a cost-of-living artifact.
The spread within Idaho is wide. The bottom 10% of lawyers earned around $62,400. The top 10% earned $229,800. Top earners made roughly 3.7 times what entry-level peers did. That range suggests pay in this state varies a lot by practice area, experience, and whether someone works in private practice, government, or in-house. The mean of $127,340 sits well above the median, which tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up.
BLS projects lawyer employment to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. Idaho's legal market is smaller than most states, with about 2,070 lawyers employed in 2024, so modest percentage gains translate to a limited number of new positions in absolute terms.
Salary distribution
Where Idaho lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,520 and $139,350, with a median of $103,400.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Idaho
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 Idaho 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Idaho?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Idaho is $103,400.
- How does Idaho compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Idaho median is -35.1% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Idaho?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,730 and the 90th-percentile at $216,660, 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.