Lawyer Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$131,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#27 of 51
19,950 employed here

How much does a Lawyer make in Ohio?

Lawyers in Ohio take home a median of $131,020 annually — roughly $62.99 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $159,670.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $69,790 while the top 10% make $269,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $90,830 and $191,080 a year.

Lawyer salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$69,790$33.55
25th percentile (early career)$90,830$43.67
50th percentile (median)$131,020$62.99
75th percentile (experienced)$191,080$91.87
90th percentile (top earners)$269,530$129.58

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 27th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($131,020) 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 Ohio?
The median Lawyer salary in Ohio is $131,020 per year, or about $62.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,790 at the entry level to $269,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Lawyers about 18% less than the national median of $159,670. Ohio ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $131,020 a year. About 19,950 Lawyers are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Lawyer salary report

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$58,650
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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.