Legal Saint Louis, MO Pop. 301,578

Lawyer Salary in Saint Louis, Missouri

The median lawyer salary in Saint Louis, MO is $122,166 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$122,166
vs State Avg
+$2,715
vs National
$-13,574
Cost of Living
90%

Lawyer Pay in Saint Louis: What to Expect (2026)

Saint Louis offers a median lawyer salary of $122,166, which is $2,715 above the Missouri state average of $119,451. Compared to the national median of $135,740, Saint Louis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Saint Louis's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for lawyers in Saint Louis spans from $58,500 at the 10th percentile to $215,280 at the 90th percentile — a $156,780 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior lawyers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,000. With a population of 301,578, Saint Louis is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Lawyer Salary in Saint Louis by Experience

In Saint Louis, an entry-level lawyer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,000
$-22,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Saint Louis, MO

Percentile Saint Louis
10th Percentile $58,500
25th Percentile $76,500
Median (50th) $122,166
75th Percentile $167,400
90th Percentile $215,280

Lawyer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

How to Become a Lawyer in Saint Louis

Education

Most lawyer positions require a doctoral degree. Saint Louis and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal ResearchLitigationContract LawNegotiationWestlaw/LexisNexisOral Advocacy

Job Outlook

Nationally, lawyer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Saint Louis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Lawyer Jobs in Saint Louis

Browse open lawyer positions in Saint Louis, MO:

Frequently Asked Questions: Lawyer Salary in Saint Louis

How much does a Lawyer make in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
The median lawyer salary in Saint Louis, Missouri is $122,166 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $135,740. Salaries range from $58,500 (10th percentile) to $215,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Lawyer make per hour in Saint Louis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,166, a lawyer in Saint Louis earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Saint Louis compare to the Missouri state average for lawyer pay? ▼
Saint Louis's median lawyer salary of $122,166 is 2.3% above the Missouri state average of $119,451. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
Saint Louis has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a lawyer salary of $122,166 in Saint Louis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a lawyer in Saint Louis? ▼
Most lawyer positions in Saint Louis require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Research, Litigation, Contract Law, Negotiation. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.