Lawyers in Maryland. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Maryland lawyers earned a median of $143,490 in 2024, about 4% below the US median of $149,496. The gap is smaller than it looks on paper. Maryland's cost of living runs roughly 9% above the national average, which eats into wages across most professions. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, a Maryland lawyer near the median is closer in real terms to the national figure than the headline difference suggests.
The spread across the pay range is wide. The 10th percentile starts at $66,430, and the 25th sits at $98,960, so a sizable share of lawyers in the state earn under six figures. At the other end, the 75th percentile reaches $191,880. That range reflects how differently the practice of law pays depending on setting: public defenders, government attorneys, and small-firm practitioners cluster toward the lower half; BigLaw associates and partners, along with senior in-house counsel near the DC corridor, account for much of the upper half.
The mean annual wage of $155,930 runs $12,440 above the median. That gap tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up, which is typical in legal markets with a mix of government, nonprofit, and corporate employers.
BLS projects employment for lawyers to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, in line with the average for all occupations. Maryland's proximity to federal agencies, regulatory bodies, and the courts in Washington adds a layer of demand that is less common in most other states, though the data does not break that out separately.
Total employment in the state was 16,420 lawyers in 2024.
Salary distribution
Where Maryland lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $102,270 and $185,220, with a median of $139,110.
Lawyers in Maryland: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 14 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $119,000. 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 | 9 | $119,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $250,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $219,460 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in Maryland. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Maryland, Office of the Public Defender | Assistant Public Defender III | 2 | $106,620 |
| Alexander Zhong Law Firm, LLC | Associate Attorney | 1 | $124,800 |
| Anthony A. Fatemi, LLC | Associate Attorney | 1 | $118,664 |
| Bisonte Industrial USA LLC | Legal Counsel | 1 | $95,000 |
| Bowie State University | Staff Attorney | 1 | $110,947 |
| Bridge Carbon US Services LLC | Associate Counsel | 1 | $119,600 |
| DUANE MORRIS LLP | Senior Associate | 1 | $250,000 |
| GABISA LAW FIRM LLC | Attorney | 1 | $123,157 |
| HARMONIA HOLDINGS LLC | DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF LEGAL | 1 | $218,920 |
| Pare & Associates, LLC | Attorney | 1 | $119,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Associate Attorney at Alexander Zhong Law Firm, LLC$124,800RockvilleWage Level IDecided Mar 6, 2026I-200-26059-671408
- DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF LEGAL at HARMONIA HOLDINGS LLC$218,920SILVER SPRINGWage Level IIIDecided Feb 11, 2026I-200-26035-618382
- Senior Associate at DUANE MORRIS LLP$250,000BaltimoreWage Level IIDecided Sep 24, 2025I-200-25260-315469
- Attorney at GABISA LAW FIRM LLC$123,157Silver SpringWage Level IDecided Sep 12, 2025I-200-25248-289378
- Attorney at PV IP PC$220,000BethesdaWage Level IIIDecided Sep 8, 2025I-200-25244-278864
- Immigration Lawyer at Silmi Law$90,750BaltimoreWage Level IDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25166-094214
- Associate Attorney at Portner & Shure$119,000Silver SpringWage Level IDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-939777
- Legal Counsel at Bisonte Industrial USA LLC$95,000BaltimoreWage Level IDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-911025
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 Maryland
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 Maryland, by industry
Median offered wage across 14 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $119,600.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Alexander Zhong Law Firm, LLC | 9 | $119,600 |
| Government and public sector | State of Maryland, Office of the Public Defender | 2 | $106,620 |
| Education | Bowie State University | 1 | $110,947 |
| Real estate | HARMONIA HOLDINGS LLC | 1 | $218,920 |
| Retail and wholesale | Bisonte Industrial USA LLC | 1 | $95,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Maryland 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 Maryland
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Maryland metropolitan areas.
- Baltimore$132,400
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Maryland with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Maryland?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Maryland is $139,110.
- How does Maryland compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Maryland median is -12.7% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Maryland?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $81,730 and the 90th-percentile at $269,020, 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.