Legal Counsel Salary — U.S. Market Overview
20 metropolitan markets · May 2026 · BLS OES
National Median
$160,000
Highest Market
San Francisco
$215,000
National Median
$160,000
20-market average
Lowest Market
Detroit
$130,000
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | 90th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $155,000 | $215,000 | $285,000 | $385,000 | +3.1% |
| New York, NY | $145,000 | $200,000 | $265,000 | $360,000 | +3.1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $140,000 | $190,000 | $255,000 | $345,000 | +3.1% |
| Seattle, WA | $135,000 | $185,000 | $250,000 | $330,000 | +3.1% |
| Boston, MA | $130,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | $320,000 | +3.1% |
| Washington DC, DC | $130,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | $325,000 | +3.1% |
| San Diego, CA | $130,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | $320,000 | +3.1% |
| Portland, OR | $120,000 | $165,000 | $220,000 | $295,000 | +3.1% |
| Chicago, IL | $115,000 | $160,000 | $215,000 | $285,000 | +3.1% |
| Austin, TX | $115,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 | $280,000 | +3.1% |
| Denver, CO | $115,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 | $280,000 | +3.1% |
| Miami, FL | $115,000 | $155,000 | $210,000 | $280,000 | +3.1% |
| Dallas, TX | $105,000 | $145,000 | $195,000 | $260,000 | +3.1% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $105,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | $255,000 | +3.1% |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,000 | $140,000 | $190,000 | $250,000 | +3.1% |
| Nashville, TN | $100,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 | $245,000 | +3.1% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $105,000 | $140,000 | $190,000 | $250,000 | +3.1% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100,000 | $135,000 | $180,000 | $245,000 | +3.1% |
| Raleigh, NC | $95,000 | $135,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | +3.1% |
| Detroit, MI | $95,000 | $130,000 | $175,000 | $235,000 | +3.1% |