Lawyer salary
BLS occupation: Lawyers · also called attorney · Legal · data for May 2025
Median salary $159,670 a year, US
Median hourly pay $76.76 an hour
Middle half earn $102,990–$221,370 25th to 75th percentile
Lawyers employed 754,500 +4.7% projected by 2035
How much does a lawyer make?
- The median lawyer salary in the US is $159,670 a year ($76.76 an hour): half of the 754,500 lawyers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $185,840.
- The middle half earn between $102,990 and $221,370. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $78,360 and the top 10% more than $351,600.
- That is 3.1 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- New York pays lawyers the most (median $207,860), followed by the District of Columbia ($195,190) and California ($195,080). Mississippi pays the least ($91,690).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New York, where the median is worth $192,604 in typical US prices, then the District of Columbia and California.
- In all 372 metro areas with data, the median lawyer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of lawyers to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 28,700 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what lawyers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Lawyer salary range
Half of lawyers earn between $102,990 and $221,370 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $78,360
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $102,990
Median Yearly pay: $159,670
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $221,370
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $351,600
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $78,360 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $102,990 |
| Median | $159,670 |
| Top 25% earn over | $221,370 |
| Top 10% earn over | $351,600 |
Lawyer salary by state
New York pays lawyers the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($159,670), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 median |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 median |
| California | $195,080 median |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 median |
| Delaware | $173,510 median |
| Colorado | $168,520 median |
| Virginia | $167,210 median |
| Connecticut | $163,600 median |
| New Jersey | $161,430 median |
| Illinois | $160,800 median |
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 median |
| Minnesota | $155,140 median |
| Texas | $154,200 median |
| Washington | $154,130 median |
| Nevada | $150,510 median |
| Alaska | $149,940 median |
| Maryland | $139,110 median |
| Rhode Island | $138,960 median |
| Oregon | $138,210 median |
| Tennessee | $136,180 median |
| Georgia | $134,830 median |
| Arizona | $134,260 median |
| Missouri | $133,450 median |
| Florida | $133,180 median |
| Utah | $132,830 median |
| Alabama | $131,970 median |
| Ohio | $131,020 median |
| Michigan | $130,520 median |
| North Carolina | $127,710 median |
| Vermont | $127,310 median |
| Indiana | $126,860 median |
| Wisconsin | $126,760 median |
| Hawaii | $124,990 median |
| Iowa | $123,550 median |
| New Hampshire | $120,810 median |
| South Carolina | $120,310 median |
| New Mexico | $119,680 median |
| Maine | $113,120 median |
| Nebraska | $109,170 median |
| North Dakota | $106,880 median |
| Kansas | $106,650 median |
| Louisiana | $104,100 median |
| Montana | $103,720 median |
| Idaho | $103,400 median |
| Oklahoma | $103,060 median |
| West Virginia | $102,420 median |
| South Dakota | $102,040 median |
| Kentucky | $101,550 median |
| Wyoming | $100,130 median |
| Arkansas | $98,880 median |
| Mississippi | $91,690 median |
Where lawyer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Lawyers' pay goes furthest in New York once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New York | $192,604 |
| District of Columbia | $177,605 |
| California | $176,192 |
| Delaware | $173,844 |
| Massachusetts | $167,062 |
| Virginia | $165,384 |
| Colorado | $163,529 |
| Pennsylvania | $161,091 |
| Illinois | $160,868 |
| Texas | $158,876 |
Lawyer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 | $99.93 | $85,200 | $391,420 | 91,870 | $192,604 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | $120,580 | $392,750 | 33,070 | $177,605 |
| California | $195,080 | $93.79 | $97,950 | $369,180 | 95,770 | $176,192 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $84.94 | $82,100 | $374,410 | 23,560 | $167,062 |
| Delaware | $173,510 | $83.42 | $101,200 | $354,910 | 2,920 | $173,844 |
| Colorado | $168,520 | $81.02 | $83,350 | $336,970 | 16,720 | $163,529 |
| Virginia | $167,210 | $80.39 | $79,330 | $320,220 | 18,580 | $165,384 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $78.65 | $91,180 | $342,970 | 8,420 | $157,900 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $77.61 | $93,810 | $328,270 | 23,160 | $148,366 |
| Illinois | $160,800 | $77.31 | $82,160 | $330,200 | 33,590 | $160,868 |
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $75.57 | $77,100 | $323,370 | 27,170 | $161,091 |
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $74.59 | $79,820 | $341,170 | 12,380 | $157,309 |
| Texas | $154,200 | $74.13 | $79,340 | $349,490 | 56,580 | $158,876 |
| Washington | $154,130 | $74.10 | $94,260 | $298,210 | 12,770 | $144,029 |
| Nevada | $150,510 | $72.36 | $96,010 | $414,290 | 6,490 | $150,542 |
| Alaska | $149,940 | $72.09 | $86,230 | $281,780 | 1,120 | $146,484 |
| Maryland | $139,110 | $66.88 | $81,730 | $269,020 | 13,810 | $132,537 |
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $66.81 | $80,710 | $268,270 | 1,840 | $135,862 |
| Oregon | $138,210 | $66.45 | $73,610 | $263,790 | 7,150 | $133,716 |
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $65.47 | $76,510 | $324,880 | 9,010 | $148,231 |
| Georgia | $134,830 | $64.82 | $58,750 | $317,820 | 23,930 | $140,021 |
| Arizona | $134,260 | $64.55 | $85,990 | $268,170 | 11,640 | $133,357 |
| Missouri | $133,450 | $64.16 | $67,020 | $299,990 | 11,560 | $146,944 |
| Florida | $133,180 | $64.03 | $75,530 | $301,050 | 55,210 | $128,783 |
| Utah | $132,830 | $63.86 | $59,990 | $347,090 | 7,020 | $134,356 |
| Alabama | $131,970 | $63.45 | $62,310 | $249,090 | 6,730 | $148,576 |
| Ohio | $131,020 | $62.99 | $69,790 | $269,530 | 19,950 | $141,225 |
| Michigan | $130,520 | $62.75 | $77,180 | $238,370 | 16,620 | $135,652 |
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $61.40 | $61,610 | $323,720 | 17,000 | $135,392 |
| Vermont | $127,310 | $61.21 | $85,510 | $336,450 | 1,330 | $129,964 |
| Indiana | $126,860 | $60.99 | $65,750 | $327,960 | 8,970 | $135,928 |
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $60.94 | $76,010 | $362,040 | 9,160 | $134,715 |
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $60.09 | $73,890 | $179,010 | 2,270 | $113,678 |
| Iowa | $123,550 | $59.40 | $63,790 | $268,460 | 3,550 | $140,778 |
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $58.08 | $65,670 | $358,300 | 2,250 | $115,979 |
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $57.84 | $63,140 | $301,140 | 7,890 | $128,332 |
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $57.54 | $76,100 | $232,890 | 3,380 | $129,788 |
| Maine | $113,120 | $54.38 | $76,820 | $215,610 | 2,280 | $116,558 |
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $52.49 | $65,030 | $217,700 | 3,490 | $121,161 |
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $51.38 | $70,500 | $194,840 | 1,050 | $120,145 |
| Kansas | $106,650 | $51.27 | $76,300 | $213,360 | 4,190 | $118,411 |
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $50.05 | $50,140 | $227,230 | 10,200 | $118,018 |
| Montana | $103,720 | $49.87 | $62,090 | $179,620 | 2,380 | $109,588 |
| Idaho | $103,400 | $49.71 | $50,730 | $216,660 | 2,490 | $108,279 |
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $49.55 | $57,950 | $207,340 | 6,980 | $117,323 |
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $49.24 | $64,950 | $206,370 | 2,440 | $114,440 |
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $49.06 | $76,920 | $234,690 | 1,360 | $115,188 |
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $48.82 | $63,010 | $187,180 | 5,770 | $112,634 |
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $48.14 | $61,170 | $233,950 | 900 | $108,026 |
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $47.54 | $49,900 | $220,660 | 3,430 | $113,738 |
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $44.08 | $47,670 | $176,750 | 3,100 | $105,448 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Lawyer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes lawyer pay: 376 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $301,320
- San Francisco, CA $212,500
- New York, NY $208,880
- Washington, DC $195,190
- Los Angeles, CA $194,410
- Oxnard, CA $185,520
- Boston, MA $183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA $181,560
- Bridgeport, CT $180,610
- Sacramento, CA $178,540
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $272,878
- Birmingham, AL $185,751
- New York, NY $185,567
- San Francisco, CA $183,803
- Washington, DC $179,264
- Peoria, IL $176,640
- Los Angeles, CA $171,187
- El Centro, CA $170,824
- Midland, TX $170,270
- Boston, MA $169,351
All 376 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $301,320 | 6,040 | $272,878 | 15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | 18,470 | $183,803 | 19% |
| New York, NY | $208,880 | 94,610 | $185,567 | 20% |
| Washington, DC | $195,190 | 46,840 | $179,264 | 15% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $194,410 | 41,580 | $171,187 | 18% |
| Oxnard, CA | $185,520 | 1,220 | $167,840 | 19% |
| Boston, MA | $183,350 | 20,080 | $169,351 | 20% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $181,560 | 590 | $168,448 | 18% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $180,610 | 2,100 | $169,009 | 19% |
| Sacramento, CA | $178,540 | 7,620 | $167,376 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $178,220 | 8,020 | $159,286 | 20% |
| Denver, CO | $177,380 | 11,860 | $167,684 | 13% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $175,780 | 290 | $161,866 | 19% |
| Stockton, CA | $174,880 | 490 | $166,411 | 17% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $170,970 | 700 | $157,144 | 23% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | 19,040 | $166,410 | 13% |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,530 | 220 | $157,201 | 17% |
| Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | 2,800 | $185,751 | 10% |
| Napa, CA | $168,720 | 110 | $149,901 | 21% |
| Dallas, TX | $168,510 | 17,110 | $163,459 | 12% |
| Salinas, CA | $166,940 | 380 | $153,097 | 20% |
| New Haven, CT | $166,080 | 1,280 | $158,839 | 15% |
| Chicago, IL | $165,660 | 28,320 | $159,911 | 16% |
| Seattle, WA | $164,980 | 9,210 | $148,453 | 16% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $164,790 | 350 | $149,951 | 25% |
| Modesto, CA | $164,010 | 370 | $157,538 | 15% |
| Reno, NV | $163,380 | 630 | $161,740 | 15% |
| Midland, TX | $163,090 | 280 | $170,270 | 12% |
| Albany, OR | $162,880 | 50 | $159,530 | 12% |
| Fresno, CA | $162,680 | 1,570 | $159,244 | 15% |
| El Centro, CA | $162,580 | 110 | $170,824 | 13% |
| Peoria, IL | $161,150 | 560 | $176,640 | 9% |
| Miami, FL | $160,320 | 23,270 | $140,441 | 20% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $159,620 | 10,160 | $152,277 | 13% |
| Houston, TX | $157,980 | 16,810 | $160,176 | 12% |
| Waterbury, CT | $157,380 | 450 | $157,730 | – |
| Hartford, CT | $157,200 | 3,880 | $152,999 | 15% |
| Charlotte, NC | $157,180 | 5,380 | $161,462 | 13% |
| Salem, OR | $156,070 | 780 | $150,576 | 13% |
| Portland, OR | $155,330 | 5,170 | $147,343 | 14% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $154,330 | 140 | $153,830 | 17% |
| Anchorage, AK | $153,590 | 780 | $145,693 | 15% |
| Austin, TX | $153,330 | 7,540 | $156,354 | 13% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $150,900 | 610 | $149,575 | 14% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $150,510 | 5,480 | $150,187 | 14% |
| Visalia, CA | $150,140 | 270 | $150,403 | 14% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $149,430 | 390 | $150,717 | 16% |
| Hanford, CA | $149,430 | 90 | $147,059 | 16% |
| Kahului, HI | $148,370 | 160 | $135,630 | 26% |
| Rochester, NY | $148,150 | 1,710 | $152,677 | 12% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | 740 | $161,419 | 12% |
| Richmond, VA | $144,910 | 3,780 | $148,082 | 14% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $143,760 | 200 | $142,676 | 17% |
| St. Louis, MO | $142,690 | 6,100 | $150,061 | 12% |
| Nashville, TN | $142,540 | 3,990 | $147,958 | 15% |
| Carson City, NV | $142,500 | 170 | $145,216 | 17% |
| Bremerton, WA | $141,540 | 220 | $134,025 | 17% |
| El Paso, TX | $140,550 | 780 | $156,320 | 13% |
| Yuba City, CA | $139,710 | 90 | $134,036 | 17% |
| Decatur, AL | $139,010 | 70 | $159,393 | 9% |
| Merced, CA | $139,010 | 120 | $141,450 | 18% |
| Trenton, NJ | $138,760 | 2,470 | $134,483 | 22% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $138,630 | 910 | $126,693 | 20% |
| Atlanta, GA | $138,210 | 18,760 | $138,130 | 16% |
| Columbus, OH | $137,810 | 4,960 | $144,351 | 13% |
| San Antonio, TX | $137,690 | 4,020 | $145,371 | 12% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $137,570 | 330 | $154,637 | 11% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $136,990 | 4,830 | $135,811 | 14% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $136,990 | 40 | $139,049 | 13% |
| Orlando, FL | $136,970 | 5,890 | $135,055 | 17% |
| Watertown, NY | $136,970 | 70 | $156,198 | 13% |
| North Port, FL | $136,910 | 1,440 | $133,679 | 18% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $135,670 | 8,820 | $131,316 | 15% |
| Ithaca, NY | $135,610 | 130 | $131,256 | 18% |
| Kennewick, WA | $135,590 | 230 | $135,483 | 15% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $135,290 | 210 | $154,094 | 9% |
| Detroit, MI | $134,980 | 10,110 | $134,579 | 13% |
| College Station, TX | $134,800 | 340 | $148,212 | 13% |
| Cleveland, OH | $134,680 | 5,540 | $143,394 | 13% |
| Sherman, TX | $134,670 | 90 | $143,616 | 12% |
| Kansas City, MO | $134,640 | 5,310 | $145,489 | 14% |
| Des Moines, IA | $134,560 | 1,760 | $146,738 | 11% |
| Memphis, TN | $134,440 | 1,670 | $145,847 | 12% |
| Roanoke, VA | $134,440 | 480 | $143,605 | 12% |
| Redding, CA | $133,900 | 250 | $132,990 | 15% |
| Jackson, TN | $133,770 | 190 | $156,416 | 12% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $133,730 | 550 | $135,276 | 18% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $133,380 | 2,280 | $136,184 | 17% |
| Odessa, TX | $133,340 | 110 | $142,008 | 14% |
| Huntsville, AL | $133,220 | 730 | $143,136 | 12% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $133,040 | 5,550 | $140,529 | 13% |
| Providence, RI | $133,000 | 2,380 | $130,683 | 20% |
| Greeley, CO | $132,990 | 260 | $132,756 | 15% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $132,920 | 640 | $131,761 | 17% |
| Olympia, WA | $132,900 | 630 | $128,195 | 18% |
| Durham, NC | $132,790 | 1,220 | $136,094 | 15% |
| Baltimore, MD | $132,400 | 7,520 | $126,714 | 18% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $132,360 | 570 | $132,059 | 21% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $132,270 | 80 | $127,360 | 16% |
| Gainesville, FL | $132,160 | 600 | $136,623 | 15% |
| Cleveland, TN | $131,980 | 60 | $149,841 | 13% |
| Raleigh, NC | $131,920 | 4,350 | $134,397 | 15% |
| Omaha, NE | $131,730 | 2,010 | $143,323 | 13% |
| Chico, CA | $131,710 | 140 | $130,152 | 14% |
| Beaumont, TX | $131,680 | 500 | $146,236 | 12% |
| Yakima, WA | $131,660 | 230 | $137,799 | 12% |
| Bellingham, WA | $131,480 | 190 | $127,238 | 18% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $131,440 | 1,930 | $133,239 | 14% |
| Springfield, IL | $131,400 | 530 | $141,679 | 11% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $131,380 | 500 | $129,915 | 18% |
| Albany, NY | $131,310 | 3,180 | $131,882 | 15% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $131,100 | 4,040 | $135,242 | 14% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $130,980 | 3,870 | $137,339 | 14% |
| Buffalo, NY | $130,800 | 2,930 | $136,472 | 13% |
| Amarillo, TX | $130,580 | 410 | $142,213 | 12% |
| Mobile, AL | $130,490 | 560 | $148,119 | 12% |
| Tyler, TX | $130,390 | 310 | $141,488 | 12% |
| Provo, UT | $130,370 | 950 | $132,716 | 16% |
| Waco, TX | $130,230 | 280 | $140,713 | 13% |
| Utica, NY | $130,100 | 250 | $140,379 | 13% |
| Mankato, MN | $130,020 | 140 | $142,950 | 11% |
| Champaign, IL | $129,990 | 250 | $140,220 | 13% |
| Dothan, AL | $129,990 | 140 | $155,058 | 11% |
| Portland, ME | $129,990 | 1,360 | $127,619 | 21% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $129,660 | 90 | $125,630 | 17% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $129,640 | 680 | $129,634 | 17% |
| Binghamton, NY | $129,480 | 300 | $139,431 | 15% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $129,450 | 1,090 | $126,479 | 17% |
| Killeen, TX | $129,430 | 260 | $142,025 | 12% |
| Worcester, MA | $129,400 | 1,210 | $126,216 | 20% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $129,360 | 1,430 | $135,390 | 15% |
| Rochester, MN | $129,270 | 210 | $142,335 | 15% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $129,180 | 740 | $139,396 | 13% |
| Duluth, MN | $129,120 | 260 | $145,458 | 12% |
| Sebastian, FL | $129,050 | 230 | $131,271 | 20% |
| Syracuse, NY | $128,910 | 1,190 | $134,643 | 15% |
| Lansing, MI | $128,610 | 1,130 | $135,392 | 12% |
| Erie, PA | $128,130 | 260 | $140,880 | 11% |
| Norwich, CT | $128,040 | 280 | $127,473 | 20% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $128,020 | 200 | $130,294 | 18% |
| Medford, OR | $127,970 | 170 | $126,162 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $127,920 | 3,760 | $128,583 | 16% |
| Tampa, FL | $127,490 | 8,330 | $126,365 | 19% |
| Salisbury, MD | $127,450 | 150 | $133,292 | 18% |
| Deltona, FL | $127,390 | 830 | $128,202 | 17% |
| Charleston, SC | $127,280 | 1,590 | $126,067 | 19% |
| Iowa City, IA | $127,210 | 140 | $139,014 | 17% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $127,070 | 130 | $133,910 | 16% |
| Greensboro, NC | $126,960 | 980 | $136,715 | 13% |
| Elmira, NY | $126,900 | 80 | $134,431 | 11% |
| Pensacola, FL | $126,790 | 960 | $129,752 | 16% |
| Yuma, AZ | $126,730 | 140 | $136,701 | 13% |
| Panama City, FL | $126,670 | 290 | $130,190 | 16% |
| Waterloo, IA | $126,570 | 160 | $145,388 | 10% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $126,520 | 510 | $136,672 | 12% |
| Knoxville, TN | $126,520 | 1,250 | $136,676 | 16% |
| Appleton, WI | $126,390 | 250 | $136,758 | 11% |
| York, PA | $126,350 | 400 | $131,615 | 13% |
| Akron, OH | $126,270 | 1,150 | $135,236 | 12% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $126,250 | 830 | $137,164 | 15% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $126,220 | 810 | $138,167 | 15% |
| Allentown, PA | $126,160 | 950 | $126,200 | 18% |
| Laredo, TX | $125,900 | 240 | $144,786 | 11% |
| Reading, PA | $125,830 | 440 | $129,641 | 15% |
| San Angelo, TX | $125,790 | 90 | $136,058 | 13% |
| Lancaster, PA | $125,510 | 520 | $127,736 | 15% |
| Brunswick, GA | $125,480 | 200 | $143,066 | 16% |
| Montgomery, AL | $125,290 | 960 | $139,705 | 13% |
| Ames, IA | $125,200 | 90 | $140,943 | 11% |
| Burlington, VT | $125,190 | 550 | $124,013 | 25% |
| Manchester, NH | $125,190 | 740 | $118,487 | 21% |
| Wheeling, WV | $124,990 | 240 | $141,515 | 8% |
| Greenville, SC | $124,970 | 1,290 | $134,002 | 15% |
| Davenport, IA | $124,850 | 420 | $140,156 | 10% |
| Winchester, VA | $124,760 | 140 | $129,352 | 18% |
| The Villages, FL | $124,700 | 70 | $145,978 | 17% |
| Louisville, KY | $124,530 | 2,000 | $133,797 | 13% |
| Lubbock, TX | $124,410 | 470 | $136,240 | 13% |
| Ogden, UT | $124,390 | 490 | $123,957 | 16% |
| Manhattan, KS | $124,230 | 120 | $137,785 | 12% |
| Madison, WI | $124,130 | 1,860 | $127,592 | 17% |
| Bloomington, IL | $124,100 | 530 | $132,675 | 12% |
| Augusta, GA | $123,960 | 630 | $134,881 | 14% |
| Bend, OR | $123,930 | 300 | $119,615 | 21% |
| Spokane, WA | $123,880 | 770 | $123,453 | 15% |
| Victoria, TX | $123,770 | 70 | $137,769 | 11% |
| Corvallis, OR | $123,650 | 70 | $118,875 | 18% |
| Springfield, MA | $123,320 | 770 | $128,377 | 19% |
| Savannah, GA | $123,050 | 640 | $129,246 | 17% |
| Niles, MI | $123,030 | 110 | $133,193 | 14% |
| Lakeland, FL | $122,870 | 730 | $126,486 | 18% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $122,670 | 170 | $122,373 | – |
| Barnstable, MA | $122,640 | 250 | $124,696 | 25% |
| Abilene, TX | $122,560 | 160 | $135,629 | 19% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $122,430 | 530 | $123,958 | 19% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $122,150 | 60 | $145,755 | 11% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $122,110 | 250 | $136,645 | 13% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $121,720 | 60 | $132,820 | 11% |
| Wichita, KS | $121,510 | 690 | $136,611 | 12% |
| New Orleans, LA | $121,290 | 4,330 | $130,987 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $120,870 | 1,960 | $108,930 | 30% |
| Sioux City, IA | $120,790 | 150 | $139,716 | 13% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $120,310 | 310 | $132,135 | 15% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $119,990 | 80 | $134,453 | 13% |
| Clarksville, TN | $119,430 | 160 | $131,318 | 13% |
| Green Bay, WI | $119,370 | 310 | $128,236 | 11% |
| Canton, OH | $119,210 | 450 | $133,336 | 11% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $118,950 | 440 | $127,026 | 17% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $118,860 | 300 | $135,635 | 12% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $118,750 | 120 | $126,614 | 15% |
| Texarkana, TX | $118,410 | 120 | $140,944 | 13% |
| St. George, UT | $117,490 | 290 | $120,724 | 19% |
| Johnson City, TN | $117,390 | 130 | $133,507 | 15% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $116,320 | 170 | $125,350 | 12% |
| Bangor, ME | $116,240 | 210 | $120,446 | 16% |
| Michigan City, IN | $116,060 | 70 | $126,590 | 12% |
| McAllen, TX | $115,920 | 850 | $134,955 | 12% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $115,770 | 80 | $123,141 | 14% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $115,290 | 210 | $124,062 | 13% |
| Kingston, NY | $115,280 | 220 | $114,468 | 21% |
| Morristown, TN | $115,230 | 70 | $133,424 | 16% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $114,610 | 1,960 | $119,953 | 16% |
| Minot, ND | $114,180 | 70 | $131,199 | 13% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $114,100 | 190 | $130,070 | 18% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $113,980 | 70 | $128,846 | 16% |
| Toledo, OH | $113,920 | 820 | $124,564 | 13% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $113,610 | 260 | $118,993 | 18% |
| Anniston, AL | $113,210 | 60 | $131,718 | 10% |
| Pueblo, CO | $113,170 | 140 | $123,330 | 14% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $112,400 | 330 | $118,515 | 14% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $112,260 | 570 | $123,865 | 14% |
| Eugene, OR | $111,850 | 420 | $110,123 | 19% |
| Lafayette, LA | $111,160 | 650 | $127,464 | 15% |
| Fargo, ND | $111,090 | 410 | $122,250 | 12% |
| Lexington, KY | $111,040 | 1,040 | $119,541 | 17% |
| Sebring, FL | $110,390 | 60 | $119,379 | 16% |
| Janesville, WI | $110,380 | 140 | $117,798 | 14% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $110,140 | 190 | $122,090 | 16% |
| Boise, ID | $109,780 | 1,250 | $111,575 | 21% |
| Wilmington, NC | $109,620 | 480 | $113,688 | 19% |
| Morgantown, WV | $109,300 | 230 | $117,120 | 15% |
| Dubuque, IA | $109,270 | 100 | $125,126 | 12% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $109,240 | 160 | $115,152 | 16% |
| Bismarck, ND | $109,010 | 290 | $119,760 | 14% |
| Vineland, NJ | $108,910 | 140 | $113,486 | 18% |
| Alexandria, LA | $108,720 | 200 | $126,882 | 11% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $108,530 | 230 | $115,248 | 18% |
| Kenosha, WI | $108,420 | 120 | $107,221 | – |
| Helena, MT | $108,410 | 410 | $113,311 | 18% |
| Tulsa, OK | $108,220 | 1,820 | $121,304 | 15% |
| Macon, GA | $108,200 | 410 | $122,221 | 13% |
| Farmington, NM | $108,090 | 100 | $123,240 | 16% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $107,950 | 320 | $117,365 | 16% |
| Columbia, MO | $107,890 | 400 | $120,631 | 16% |
| State College, PA | $107,850 | 140 | $111,459 | 22% |
| Flint, MI | $107,830 | 260 | $115,904 | 12% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $107,740 | 370 | $109,920 | 22% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $107,620 | 130 | $114,370 | 17% |
| Kingsport, TN | $107,560 | 300 | $124,423 | 15% |
| Tucson, AZ | $107,510 | 1,690 | $110,954 | 17% |
| Traverse City, MI | $107,460 | 190 | $115,088 | 21% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $107,400 | 160 | $112,927 | 20% |
| Hinesville, GA | $107,320 | 50 | $114,252 | 20% |
| Evansville, IN | $107,050 | 370 | $116,959 | 12% |
| Kankakee, IL | $107,030 | 50 | $111,034 | 15% |
| Racine, WI | $106,900 | 160 | $111,399 | 16% |
| Crestview, FL | $106,880 | 420 | $110,150 | 22% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $106,780 | 80 | $119,290 | 15% |
| Bozeman, MT | $106,760 | 200 | $104,146 | 25% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $106,500 | 130 | $114,874 | 19% |
| Great Falls, MT | $106,450 | 140 | $109,918 | 16% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $106,320 | 1,390 | $105,574 | 20% |
| Wausau, WI | $106,290 | 150 | $114,721 | 11% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $105,920 | 270 | $107,759 | 21% |
| Columbus, IN | $105,790 | 70 | $113,749 | 16% |
| Longview, TX | $105,590 | 240 | $117,997 | 13% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $105,510 | 80 | $119,442 | 21% |
| Asheville, NC | $105,480 | 470 | $109,299 | 19% |
| Athens, GA | $105,360 | 240 | $112,874 | 20% |
| Lewiston, ME | $105,240 | 150 | $111,088 | 18% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $105,240 | 100 | $114,257 | 18% |
| Columbia, SC | $105,200 | 1,950 | $112,319 | 18% |
| La Crosse, WI | $104,910 | 130 | $114,320 | 15% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $104,770 | 70 | $115,716 | 13% |
| Saginaw, MI | $104,760 | 200 | $115,259 | 12% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $104,520 | 40 | $106,915 | 18% |
| Jackson, MS | $104,460 | 1,390 | $117,308 | 17% |
| Kokomo, IN | $104,320 | 60 | $116,366 | 13% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $104,210 | 90 | $120,247 | 13% |
| Dayton, OH | $104,170 | 1,040 | $112,381 | 15% |
| Billings, MT | $104,150 | 380 | $111,359 | 16% |
| Columbus, GA | $104,120 | 290 | $116,601 | 16% |
| Monroe, MI | $104,020 | 70 | $111,261 | 15% |
| Springfield, MO | $103,790 | 710 | $117,164 | 14% |
| Staunton, VA | $103,530 | 80 | $113,609 | 17% |
| Albany, GA | $103,510 | 150 | $118,069 | 12% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $103,490 | 4,310 | $114,470 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $103,460 | 210 | $108,809 | 20% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $103,320 | 2,170 | $110,010 | 17% |
| Rockford, IL | $103,190 | 340 | $111,976 | 15% |
| Grand Island, NE | $103,150 | 50 | $119,033 | 16% |
| Logan, UT | $103,120 | 150 | $107,498 | 17% |
| Brownsville, TX | $103,100 | 390 | $119,919 | 18% |
| Lawrence, KS | $103,070 | 140 | $114,214 | 18% |
| South Bend, IN | $103,050 | 280 | $110,976 | 15% |
| Casper, WY | $102,890 | 140 | $109,657 | 17% |
| Topeka, KS | $102,500 | 680 | $115,402 | 15% |
| Lebanon, PA | $102,460 | 80 | $109,919 | 17% |
| Muncie, IN | $102,140 | 60 | $115,873 | 12% |
| Burlington, NC | $102,120 | 100 | $109,576 | 16% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $102,070 | 2,300 | $112,437 | 16% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $101,990 | 190 | $101,457 | 22% |
| Williamsport, PA | $101,990 | 130 | $110,439 | 13% |
| Sumter, SC | $101,900 | 70 | $115,769 | 17% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $101,690 | 350 | $118,448 | 16% |
| Bay City, MI | $101,540 | 60 | $110,464 | 12% |
| Lincoln, NE | $101,300 | 820 | $110,612 | 15% |
| Sandusky, OH | $101,270 | 130 | $113,428 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $101,250 | 400 | $115,855 | 12% |
| Longview, WA | $101,170 | 50 | $103,716 | 17% |
| Charleston, WV | $101,150 | 880 | $114,014 | 14% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $101,030 | 60 | $105,925 | 16% |
| Valdosta, GA | $101,000 | 130 | $114,420 | 16% |
| Decatur, IL | $100,790 | 70 | $113,987 | 13% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $100,680 | 100 | $106,380 | 16% |
| Lafayette, IN | $100,650 | 220 | $107,728 | 18% |
| Auburn, AL | $100,560 | 120 | $114,360 | 19% |
| Missoula, MT | $100,490 | 490 | $104,194 | 19% |
| Scranton, PA | $100,420 | 810 | $107,337 | 16% |
| Rapid City, SD | $99,430 | 260 | $111,519 | 18% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $99,420 | 100 | $112,962 | 15% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $99,240 | 100 | $106,177 | 21% |
| Shreveport, LA | $98,900 | 460 | $116,674 | 16% |
| Florence, AL | $98,850 | 110 | $116,545 | 13% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $98,590 | 270 | $102,175 | 19% |
| Huntington, WV | $98,070 | 390 | $110,911 | 13% |
| Little Rock, AR | $97,870 | 1,670 | $109,518 | 15% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $97,770 | 120 | $107,947 | 16% |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,620 | 110 | $110,168 | 15% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $97,460 | 100 | $111,938 | 13% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $97,370 | 100 | $112,720 | 12% |
| Hickory, NC | $97,330 | 270 | $109,995 | 20% |
| Muskegon, MI | $97,300 | 130 | $105,168 | 16% |
| Lewiston, ID | $97,020 | 50 | $106,428 | 18% |
| Paducah, KY | $96,960 | 150 | $112,634 | 14% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $96,830 | 250 | $107,375 | 15% |
| Florence, SC | $96,790 | 190 | $111,543 | 19% |
| Joplin, MO | $96,190 | 180 | $112,217 | 15% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $95,300 | 190 | $100,941 | 18% |
| Weirton, WV | $94,760 | 60 | $106,443 | 10% |
| Monroe, LA | $94,720 | 270 | $113,306 | 15% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $94,600 | 120 | $109,900 | 13% |
| Springfield, OH | $94,470 | 70 | $104,408 | 15% |
| Gadsden, AL | $94,220 | 70 | $110,002 | 14% |
| Houma, LA | $93,840 | 220 | $110,266 | 17% |
| Johnstown, PA | $93,710 | 80 | $109,055 | 11% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $93,320 | 490 | $106,076 | 13% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $92,700 | 90 | $108,130 | 16% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $92,510 | 90 | $107,725 | 16% |
| Pocatello, ID | $92,280 | 100 | $103,795 | 14% |
| Lawton, OK | $92,000 | 60 | $107,050 | 15% |
| Dalton, GA | $91,730 | 120 | $102,099 | 18% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $88,100 | 170 | $102,575 | 15% |
| Enid, OK | $87,980 | 80 | $104,404 | 15% |
| Beckley, WV | $87,930 | 80 | $99,503 | 14% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $87,570 | 160 | $99,928 | 18% |
| Gulfport, MS | $87,210 | 380 | $96,894 | 20% |
| Slidell, LA | $84,590 | 560 | $91,226 | – |
| Altoona, PA | $83,390 | 90 | $93,166 | 14% |
| Lima, OH | $83,260 | 90 | $92,853 | 17% |
| Greenville, NC | $82,880 | 220 | $93,754 | 21% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $81,660 | 170 | $88,679 | 23% |
| Daphne, AL | $80,090 | 180 | $84,581 | 25% |
| Mansfield, OH | $79,820 | 80 | $89,815 | 13% |
| Hammond, LA | $78,110 | 150 | $92,482 | 20% |
| Rome, GA | $74,410 | – | $82,530 | 20% |
What the median lawyer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $159,670 |
| Month | $13,306 |
| Every two weeks | $6,141 |
| Week | $3,071 |
| Hour | $76.76 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a lawyer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 28,700 |
| Self-employed | 11.3% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Questions about lawyer pay
How much does a lawyer make an hour?
The median is $76.76 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37.67 and the top 10% over $169.04.
How much does a lawyer make a month?
About $13,306 a month before taxes at the median salary of $159,670, or $6,141 every two weeks.
What state pays lawyers the most?
New York, with a median of $207,860. The District of Columbia ($195,190), California ($195,080), Massachusetts ($176,680) and Delaware ($173,510) follow.
Where do lawyers make the most after cost of living?
New York: its median of $207,860 is worth $192,604 at typical US prices. The District of Columbia, California and Delaware come next.
How much do entry-level lawyers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of lawyers earn under $78,360 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $102,990, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a lawyer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 23-1011 (Lawyers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.