Lawyers pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $218,280 or more. The middle half of lawyers in State College earn between $81,310 and $161,290.
- $74K10th
- $81K25th
- $108KMedian
- $161K75th
- $218K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $129,530 | $10,794 | $62.27 |
| Median | $107,850 | $8,988 | $51.85 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $81,310 | $6,776 | $39.09 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $161,290 | $13,441 | $77.54 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Lawyers pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Lawyers in State College earn 23% less than the Pennsylvania average ($169,170) and 30% less than the U.S. average ($185,840). At the median the gap is -32% against the U.S. median of $159,670.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $129,530 | $107,850 | $73,920 | $218,280 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $169,170 | $157,180 | $77,100 | $323,370 | 27,170 |
| United States | $185,840 | $159,670 | $78,360 | $351,600 | 754,500 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Lawyers salary after taxes in State College
On the average salary of $129,530, a single filer in State College takes home about $95,823 a year, or $7,985 a month and $3,686 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is State College a good place for lawyers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $129,530 buys what about $133,865 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 2.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Lawyers salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 10th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($186,600).
- Philadelphia$186,600
- Pittsburgh$159,760
- Reading$148,690
- Harrisburg$146,670
- Allentown$146,010
- Erie$144,230
- Lancaster$142,810
- York$141,560
- Chambersburg$132,070
- State College$129,530
Highest-paying cities for lawyers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($288,980).
- San Jose, CA$288,980
- Santa Rosa, CA$248,950
- Los Angeles, CA$241,500
- San Francisco, CA$237,060
- Bridgeport, CT$231,710
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Lawyers salary in State College: questions
How much do lawyers make an hour in State College?
$62.27 an hour on average, and $51.85 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level lawyers salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $81,310, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the lawyers take-home pay in State College?
About $95,823 a year ($7,985 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $129,530. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do lawyers earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% less than the U.S. average for this job ($185,840).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 23-1011; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.40, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.40).
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