New Jersey Median
$161,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$77.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#9 of 51
23,160 employed here
How much does a Lawyer make in New Jersey?
Lawyers in New Jersey take home a median of $161,430 annually — roughly $77.61 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $159,670.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $93,810 while the top 10% make $328,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $116,060 and $220,100 a year.
Lawyer salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,810 | $45.10 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $116,060 | $55.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $161,430 | $77.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $220,100 | $105.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $328,270 | $157.82 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Lawyer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lawyer salary in other states
New York $207,860District of Columbia $195,190California $195,080Massachusetts $176,680Delaware $173,510Colorado $168,520Virginia $167,210Connecticut $163,600Illinois $160,800Pennsylvania $157,180Minnesota $155,140Texas $154,200Washington $154,130Nevada $150,510Alaska $149,940Maryland $139,110Rhode Island $138,960Oregon $138,210Tennessee $136,180Georgia $134,830Arizona $134,260Missouri $133,450Florida $133,180Utah $132,830Alabama $131,970Ohio $131,020Michigan $130,520North Carolina $127,710Vermont $127,310Indiana $126,860Wisconsin $126,760Hawaii $124,990Iowa $123,550New Hampshire $120,810South Carolina $120,310New Mexico $119,680Maine $113,120Nebraska $109,170North Dakota $106,880Kansas $106,650Louisiana $104,100Montana $103,720Idaho $103,400Oklahoma $103,060West Virginia $102,420South Dakota $102,040Kentucky $101,550Wyoming $100,130Arkansas $98,880Mississippi $91,690
Working as a Lawyer in New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($161,430) 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 New Jersey?
The median Lawyer salary in New Jersey is $161,430 per year, or about $77.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $93,810 at the entry level to $328,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Lawyers about 1% more than the national median of $159,670. New Jersey ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Lawyers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $161,430 a year. About 23,160 Lawyers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.