Lawyer salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Lawyers in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $112,400 a year ($54.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $255,880 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 14% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $130,520. There are 2.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $178,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| 25th percentile | $84,020 | $40.39 |
| Median | $112,400 | $54.04 |
| 75th percentile | $165,860 | $79.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $255,880 | $123.02 |
| Average (mean) | $178,610 | $85.87 |
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 | $9,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,683.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,323.08 |
| Weekly | $2,161.54 |
| Hourly | $54.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $112,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $134,980 | 10,110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $132,920 | 640 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $129,360 | 1,430 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $128,610 | 1,130 |
| Niles, MI | $123,030 | 110 |
| Flint, MI | $107,830 | 260 |
| Traverse City, MI | $107,460 | 190 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $104,770 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $104,760 | 200 |
| Monroe, MI | $104,020 | 70 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $103,050 | 280 |
| Bay City, MI | $101,540 | 60 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $97,300 | 130 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $53,090 | $25.53 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $49,820 | $23.95 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for lawyers in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $112,400 a year, or $54.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $255,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $255,880 a year. The top 25% earn $165,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,770 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $84,020 or less.
How many lawyers work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 330 lawyers are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.