Lawyer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Lawyers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $138,760 a year ($66.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $265,810 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 14% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $161,430. There are 10 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $160,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,480 | $44.94 |
| 25th percentile | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| Median | $138,760 | $66.71 |
| 75th percentile | $199,990 | $96.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $265,810 | $127.79 |
| Average (mean) | $160,740 | $77.28 |
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 | $11,563.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,781.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,336.92 |
| Weekly | $2,668.46 |
| Hourly | $66.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $138,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $208,880 | 94,610 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $170,660 | 19,040 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $133,730 | 550 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $126,160 | 950 |
| Vineland, NJ | $108,910 | 140 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $204,160 | $98.15 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $73,250 | $35.22 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $62,020 | $29.82 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for lawyers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $138,760 a year, or $66.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $265,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $265,810 a year. The top 25% earn $199,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,480 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $108,660 or less.
How many lawyers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 2,470 lawyers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.