📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Lawyer Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$188,694
per year
Median
$160,336
per year
Hourly
$90.72
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$78,270
25th Percentile — Junior$117,186
50th Percentile — Median$160,336
75th Percentile — Senior$204,746
90th Percentile — Top Earners$242,070
💡 Top-earning Lawyers in Virginia make up to $242,070 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$158.9k
2021
$164.4k
2022
$170.2k
2023
$176.1k
2024
$182.3k
2025
$188.7k
2026
📈 Lawyer salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Lawyer Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $198,129 +5.0% High
Richmond $192,468 +2.0% High
🔍
Lawyer Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Lawyers. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $188,694 per year, Virginia's Lawyer salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $78,270–$117,186, while experienced Lawyers can command $204,746–$242,070.

Looking ahead, the Lawyer profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Lawyer salary in Virginia is $188,694 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $171,540.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Lawyers the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Lawyer employment.
  • At $188,694/year, Virginia Lawyer salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $171,540/year.