Lawyer salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Lawyers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $105,360 a year ($50.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,830 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 22% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $134,830. There are 2.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $120,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,630 | $25.31 |
| 25th percentile | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Median | $105,360 | $50.65 |
| 75th percentile | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,830 | $98.96 |
| Average (mean) | $120,890 | $58.12 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,780 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,390 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,052.31 |
| Weekly | $2,026.15 |
| Hourly | $50.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $147,640 | 740 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $138,210 | 18,760 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $125,480 | 200 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $123,960 | 630 |
| Savannah, GA | $123,050 | 640 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $118,750 | 120 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $108,200 | 410 |
| Hinesville, GA | $107,320 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $104,120 | 290 |
| Albany, GA | $103,510 | 150 |
| Valdosta, GA | $101,000 | 130 |
| Dalton, GA | $91,730 | 120 |
| Rome, GA | $74,410 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,840 | $23.48 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $105,360 a year, or $50.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $205,830 a year. The top 25% earn $130,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,630 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $75,520 or less.
How many lawyers work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 240 lawyers are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.