Lawyer salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Lawyers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $104,120 a year ($50.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $251,620 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 23% 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 $129,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,860 | $24.94 |
| 25th percentile | $69,110 | $33.23 |
| Median | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| 75th percentile | $150,610 | $72.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $251,620 | $120.97 |
| Average (mean) | $129,080 | $62.06 |
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 | $8,676.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,338.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,004.62 |
| Weekly | $2,002.31 |
| Hourly | $50.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,120 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | 2,800 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $147,640 | 740 |
| Decatur, AL | $139,010 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $138,210 | 18,760 |
| Huntsville, AL | $133,220 | 730 |
| Mobile, AL | $130,490 | 560 |
| Dothan, AL | $129,990 | 140 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $125,480 | 200 |
| Montgomery, AL | $125,290 | 960 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $123,960 | 630 |
| Savannah, GA | $123,050 | 640 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $118,750 | 120 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $114,100 | 190 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $113,210 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $108,200 | 410 |
| Hinesville, GA | $107,320 | 50 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $105,360 | 240 |
| Albany, GA | $103,510 | 150 |
| Valdosta, GA | $101,000 | 130 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $100,560 | 120 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $98,850 | 110 |
| Gadsden, AL | $94,220 | 70 |
| Dalton, GA | $91,730 | 120 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $80,090 | 180 |
| 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 Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $52,280 | $25.13 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,450 | $26.66 |
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for lawyers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $104,120 a year, or $50.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $251,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $251,620 a year. The top 25% earn $150,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,860 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $69,110 or less.
How many lawyers work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 290 lawyers are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.