Lawyers in Pennsylvania. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Pennsylvania lawyers earned a median of $127,940 in 2024, about 14% below the national median of $149,496. That gap is notable for a state with two major legal markets in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, though statewide figures absorb a large share of mid-sized regional firms and public-sector roles that tend to anchor wages lower.
The spread between lower and upper earners is wide. The 25th percentile sits at $82,440, while the 75th reaches $192,180. That $110,000 difference across the middle half of earners reflects how sharply compensation varies by practice area, firm size, and seniority. A public defender and a partner at a large corporate firm both appear in this data.
The mean wage of $155,050 runs well above the median. A smaller group of high earners pulls the average up, which means the $127,940 figure is a more honest benchmark for someone entering or sitting in the middle of the field.
Pennsylvania's cost-of-living index comes in at 97.4, slightly below the national baseline. In practical terms, the nominal pay gap with the US median narrows a bit when you account for what the money actually buys here. The adjusted difference is closer to 11% than 14%.
BLS projects lawyer employment to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate. No dramatic expansion, but the field is not contracting either.
Salary distribution
Where Pennsylvania lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,720 and $208,260, with a median of $157,180.
Lawyers in Pennsylvania: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $114,000. 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 | 14 | $89,500 |
| Level II — qualified | 7 | $215,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $277,953 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in Pennsylvania. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| BN&M PC | Associate Attorney | 2 | $85,000 |
| Community Justice Project | Lawyer | 2 | $61,614 |
| Holland & Knight LLP | Associate | 2 | $126,963 |
| Duane Morris LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $225,000 |
| Evolution US LLC | Legal Counsel (Attorney) - KBGFJG356343-1 | 1 | $126,963 |
| Freedom Solutions Group LLC | Head of Legal Products | 1 | $354,500 |
| Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Associate | 1 | $215,000 |
| HAN LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $65,000 |
| Hardin Thompson PC | Associate | 1 | $145,000 |
| HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | General Counsel | 1 | $117,624 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Associate Attorney at Smigel, Anderson & Sacks LLP$100,000HarrisburgWage Level IDecided Mar 23, 2026I-200-26075-704984
- General Counsel at HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY$117,624HarrisburgWage Level IDecided Mar 9, 2026I-200-26061-673448
- Associate Attorney at HAN LLP$65,000State CollegeWage Level IDecided Feb 11, 2026I-200-26035-619353
- Attorney at Rogers Tamburro, PC$68,203PittsburghWage Level IDecided Jan 22, 2026I-200-26014-559743
- Mid-Level E-Discovery Attorney at REED SMITH LLP$83,990PittsburghWage Level IDecided Jan 8, 2026I-200-25365-519098
- Associate Attorney at BN&M PC$85,000ConshohockenWage Level IDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25325-429332
- Associate Attorney at BN&M PC$85,000ConshohockenWage Level IDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25325-429313
- Associate Attorney at Stelmakh & Associates LLC$94,000BridgeportWage Level IDecided Nov 25, 2025I-200-25323-419982
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 Pennsylvania
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 specialties in Pennsylvania
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 14 certified offers. The most common variant is Associate Attorney at a median of $94,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Attorney | BN&M PC | 11 | $94,000 |
| Lawyer | Community Justice Project | 3 | $61,614 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Lawyers in Pennsylvania, by industry
Median offered wage across 25 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $100,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | BN&M PC | 21 | $100,000 |
| Technology and software | Freedom Solutions Group LLC | 2 | $228,136 |
| Education | HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | 1 | $117,624 |
| Media and entertainment | Evolution US LLC | 1 | $126,963 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.
- Philadelphia$170,660
- Pittsburgh$133,040
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Pennsylvania with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Pennsylvania?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Pennsylvania is $157,180.
- How does Pennsylvania compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Pennsylvania median is -1.3% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Pennsylvania?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,100 and the 90th-percentile at $323,370, 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.