Lawyer Salary in Colorado (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Lawyers in Colorado, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$168,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$81.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#6 of 51
16,720 employed here

How much does a Lawyer make in Colorado?

A Lawyer working in Colorado earns a median salary of $168,520 per year, or about $81.02 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $83,350 while the top 10% make $336,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $107,420 and $233,910 a year.

Lawyer salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,350$40.07
25th percentile (early career)$107,420$51.64
50th percentile (median)$168,520$81.02
75th percentile (experienced)$233,910$112.46
90th percentile (top earners)$336,970$162.00

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories for Lawyer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$207,860
2District of Columbia$195,190
3California$195,080
4Massachusetts$176,680
5Delaware$173,510

Working as a Lawyer in Colorado

Nationally, about 755,000 people work as Lawyers in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($168,520) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Lawyer make in Colorado?
The median Lawyer salary in Colorado is $168,520 per year, or about $81.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,350 at the entry level to $336,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Lawyers about 6% more than the national median of $159,670. Colorado ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Lawyers?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $168,520 a year. About 16,720 Lawyers are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Lawyer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.