SOC 231011

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

National Median

$151,160

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$151,160

Entry Level (10th pct)

$72,780

Experienced (90th pct)

N/A

Total Employed

747,750

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$72,780 - $99,760
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$99,760 - $215,420
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$215,420 - N/A

Highest Paying Locations for Lawyers

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$215,090

+42.3% vs national

Midland, MI

$209,430

+38.5% vs national

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

$205,900

+36.2% vs national

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

$203,450

+34.6% vs national

California

$197,790

+30.8% vs national

Lawyers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$215,090	16,940
Midland, MI	$209,430	110
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$205,900	40,990
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$203,450	93,730
California	$197,790	92,580
Vallejo, CA	$196,980	150
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$194,740	18,900
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$192,800	200
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$191,880	48,170
District of Columbia	$191,880	33,430
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$180,940	12,590
Massachusetts	$179,050	22,020
New York	$177,210	91,440
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$173,410	1,030
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$173,160	500
Delaware	$172,710	2,970
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$171,120	6,730
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$170,380	600
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$168,330	510
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$168,150	1,910
Colorado	$167,970	17,160
Salinas, CA	$167,700	390
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$166,090	28,380
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$165,000	8,990
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$162,680	9,440
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$161,420	5,600
Midland, TX	$161,200	230
Napa, CA	$159,270	120
Connecticut	$159,240	7,500
Modesto, CA	$159,220	400
New Jersey	$158,470	23,360
Virginia	$157,980	18,420
New Haven, CT	$157,720	1,230
Salem, OR	$157,510	800
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$157,340	15,740
Illinois	$157,320	33,430
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$155,470	3,390
Redding, CA	$153,780	110
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$153,130	440
Springfield, MA	$152,440	540
Birmingham, AL	$152,240	2,240
Washington	$151,950	13,140
Chico, CA	$151,940	80
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$150,110	10,650
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$149,080	370
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$148,030	18,270
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$147,160	210
Reno, NV	$146,840	700
Maryland	$143,490	16,420
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$143,420	4,100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Lawyers?

The national median annual salary for Lawyers is $151,160, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Lawyerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Lawyerss is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median salary of $215,090.

How much can an experienced Lawyers make?

Top-earning Lawyerss (90th percentile) make N/A or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.