Lawyer Salary in Missouri (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$133,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#23 of 51
11,560 employed here

How much does a Lawyer make in Missouri?

A Lawyer working in Missouri earns a median salary of $133,450 per year, or about $64.16 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $67,020 while the top 10% make $299,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $89,900 and $197,110 a year.

Lawyer salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,020$32.22
25th percentile (early career)$89,900$43.22
50th percentile (median)$133,450$64.16
75th percentile (experienced)$197,110$94.76
90th percentile (top earners)$299,990$144.23

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 23rd 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($133,450) 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 Missouri?
The median Lawyer salary in Missouri is $133,450 per year, or about $64.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,020 at the entry level to $299,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Lawyers about 16% less than the national median of $159,670. Missouri ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $133,450 a year. About 11,560 Lawyers are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.