How does a Lawyer's salary in Albany compare to the rest of New York?

Albany's cost of living index is 95 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Lawyer earning the city-adjusted median of $138,472 earns $71,672 more than the median household income in Albany ($66,800).

Lawyer Salary in Albany, NY — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Albany's cost of living (index: 95). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Lawyer Salary in Albany — Key Numbers

$138,472

Median Salary

$90,478

25th Percentile

$214,928

75th Percentile

$332,500

90th Percentile

National median (Lawyer)$145,760

vs. National median-5.0%

Albany median household income$66,800

vs. City household income+107.3%

Cost of Living in Albany

Cost of Living Index

95(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,200/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio10.4%

Annual rent cost$14,400

Median Home Price$275,000

Home Price / Salary2.0×

20% Down Payment$55,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.0 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Albany

3.5%

Unemployment Rate

905,000

Metro Population

24 min

Avg Commute

38.4

Median Age

Albany has a metro population of 905,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.5% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Albany

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Cost of Living — Albany

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Lawyer Salary in New York

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Albany

Physician$217,835 Chief Executive Officer$199,500 Dentist$166,735 IT Manager$161,035 Marketing Manager$149,739 HR Manager$129,533

Lawyer Salary — Other New York Cities

New York, NY$272,571 Buffalo, NY$128,269 Rochester, NY$125,354 Poughkeepsie, NY$174,912 Syracuse, NY$125,354

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Lawyer make in Albany, NY?

The estimated median salary for a Lawyer in Albany is $138,472 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $145,760 adjusted by Albany's cost of living index (95). The typical salary range runs from $90,478 (25th percentile) to $214,928 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $332,500.

Is Albany affordable for a Lawyer?

On a $138,472 annual salary, a Lawyer in Albany would spend approximately 10.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,200/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Albany relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $275,000 is 2.0× the annual salary.

How does a Lawyer's salary compare to Albany's overall income?

Albany's median household income is $66,800. A Lawyer earning the city-adjusted median of $138,472 earns 107.3% more than the typical Albany household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Lawyer — National Lawyer in New York All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.