California pays lawyers more than any other state — its $197,790 median leads all 50 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
California employs roughly 12.4% of all lawyers in the country (92,580 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $101,070 | $48.59 |
| 25th percentile | $131,030 | $63.00 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $197,790 | $95.09 |
| 75th percentile | N/A | N/A |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $254,170 | $122.20 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $197,790 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $191,880 | -3% |
| Massachusetts | $179,050 | -9% |
| New York | $177,210 | -10% |
| Delaware | $172,710 | -13% |
| Colorado | $167,970 | -15% |
| Connecticut | $159,240 | -19% |
| New Jersey | $158,470 | -20% |
| Virginia | $157,980 | -20% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $201,510 | 20,750 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $201,810 | 30,690 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $204,100 | 14,120 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $211,340 | 100,020 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $179,880 | 24,200 |
| Dentists, General | $178,540 | 14,760 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Lawyers salary in California?
The mean lawyers salary in California is $254,170 per year. The median (middle) salary is $197,790 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Lawyers in California?
Entry-level lawyerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $101,070 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $131,030 per year.
What is the highest Lawyers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around N/A per year.
How does the California Lawyers salary compare to the national average?
The median lawyers salary in California is $197,790, which is +31% above national average of $151,160.