Lawyer Salary in Maryland (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$139,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#17 of 51
13,810 employed here

How much does a Lawyer make in Maryland?

A Lawyer working in Maryland earns a median salary of $139,110 per year, or about $66.88 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $81,730 while the top 10% make $269,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,270 and $185,220 a year.

Lawyer salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$81,730$39.29
25th percentile (early career)$102,270$49.17
50th percentile (median)$139,110$66.88
75th percentile (experienced)$185,220$89.05
90th percentile (top earners)$269,020$129.34

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 17th 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 Maryland

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 Maryland pay ($139,110) 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 Maryland?
The median Lawyer salary in Maryland is $139,110 per year, or about $66.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,730 at the entry level to $269,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Lawyers about 13% less than the national median of $159,670. Maryland ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $139,110 a year. About 13,810 Lawyers are employed in Maryland. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), 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.