Average Legal Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
In Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, professionals in Legal Occupations earn an average annual salary of $94,560. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $143,370, reflecting regional economic factors and the specific demand dynamics within the local legal sector. The cost of living in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre is at the national average, meaning the nominal salary's purchasing power aligns with the rest of the country.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $94,560 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $176,780.
- Outlook: The legal job market in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, supports a workforce of 1,430 individuals, representing 5.608 jobs per 1,000 workers. While the total workforce size indicates a stable presence, the Location Quotient of 0.68 suggests that legal occupations are less concentrated here compared to the national average. This implies a moderate but not exceptionally high demand relative to other professions within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA earns-34.0%below the national average.
$45.5
$1,818
$7,880
Legal Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Scranton--Wilkes-Barre's legal sector isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth mirroring national patterns over the past four years. Economic recovery, inflation, and evolving legal service demands typically contribute to incremental increases in compensation for legal professionals across most regions.
Legal Occupations Salary Distribution in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Salary progression within Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions will likely fall below the $94,560 average, while seasoned attorneys and specialized legal professionals can command salaries well above this mark, potentially reaching into the six figures. The gap between lower and higher salary percentiles signifies clear opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal AssistantResearch, drafting documents, case support. | 10% (Entry) | $40,620 | $19.5 |
| AssociateHandling depositions, smaller cases independently. | 25% (Junior) | $70,920 | $34.1 |
| Senior AssociateLead on cases, client management, trial experience. | 50% (Median) | $72,540 | $34.9 |
| Counsel / PartnerBusiness development, specialized high-stakes cases. | 75% (Senior) | $118,200 | $56.8 |
| Managing PartnerFirm leadership. Executive strategy. | 90% (Expert) | $176,780 | $85 |
Detailed Legal Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$94,560
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$94,560
Adjusted for COL (100)
With an average annual salary of $94,560 and a Cost of Living Index of 100 (matching the national average), the nominal income in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, offers purchasing power equivalent to the national standard. This means that while the salary is below the national average for legal roles, the cost of goods and services locally does not present a disadvantage in terms of real income.
Job Market Context
1,430
Total Jobs
5.608
Per 1K Jobs
0.68
Location Quotient
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA has 0.68x the national average concentration of Legal Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.68 for Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, indicates that this field is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while legal professionals are present and employed, the market is not saturated, and there may be opportunities for those entering or seeking to advance within the field, without facing intense competition relative to more concentrated areas.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Legal Occupations
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY Legal Occupations Salary | $99,880↑ 6% | 50 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Legal Occupations Salary | $102,340↑ 8% | 57 mi |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area Legal Occupations Salary | $107,770↑ 14% | 64 mi |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area Legal Occupations Salary | $118,460↑ 25% | 64 mi |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area Legal Occupations Salary | $110,980↑ 17% | 64 mi |
Comparing salaries near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Hiring Legal Occupationss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Legal Occupations make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median annual salary for a Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $94,560. This typically ranges from $40,620 for entry-level positions to $176,780 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 34.0% lower than the national median of $143,370.
Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a lucrative place for Legal Occupationss?
No, not compared to the national average.The average salary of $94,560 is significantly lower than the national average of $143,370. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, making the purchasing power of the local salary comparable to other regions.
Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to live for Legal Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Binghamton, NY ($99,880) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.
How does the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre legal salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, is $94,560, which is considerably lower than the national average of $143,370.
What is the cost of living in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA for legal professionals?
The Cost of Living Index in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means the cost of goods and services is neither higher nor lower than the typical U.S. city.
How concentrated are Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The Location Quotient for Legal Occupations is 0.68, indicating that this profession is less concentrated in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre compared to the national average.
What is the total workforce size for Legal Occupations in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
There are approximately 1,430 individuals employed in Legal Occupations in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,430 employees in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area with a job density of 5.608 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Legal Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA