First-year salaries in Boston vary widely between firms matching the NY rate of $160,000, and those who only raised to $145,000. Fish & Richardson; Proskauer Rose; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges are a few of the firms offering $160,000. These firms view their payrate as a means of staying competitive – a tool for both recruiting and retention. Other firms like Bingham McCutchen; Boston’s Choate, Hall & Stewart, Goodwin Procter, and Ropes & Gray; DLA Piper; McDermott, Will & Emery; Nixon Peabody; and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr opted for $145,000.
Source: www.nylawyer.com