Lawyer salary in California
Lawyers in California earn a median of $195,080 a year ($93.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 95,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $369,180 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $159,670. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for lawyers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $230,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| 25th percentile | $131,120 | $63.04 |
| Median | $195,080 | $93.79 |
| 75th percentile | $277,140 | $133.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $369,180 | $177.49 |
| Average (mean) | $230,040 | $110.59 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $16,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,128.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,503.08 |
| Weekly | $3,751.54 |
| Hourly | $93.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $301,320 | 6,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $212,500 | 18,470 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $194,410 | 41,580 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $185,520 | 1,220 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $181,560 | 590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $178,540 | 7,620 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $178,220 | 8,020 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $175,780 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $174,880 | 490 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $170,970 | 700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,530 | 220 |
| Napa, CA | $168,720 | 110 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,940 | 380 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $164,790 | 350 |
| Modesto, CA | $164,010 | 370 |
| Fresno, CA | $162,680 | 1,570 |
| El Centro, CA | $162,580 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $150,900 | 610 |
| Visalia, CA | $150,140 | 270 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $149,430 | 90 |
| Yuba City, CA | $139,710 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $139,010 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $133,900 | 250 |
| Chico, CA | $131,710 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judicial Law Clerk | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $85,830 | $41.26 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $67,230 | $32.32 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in California?
The median salary for lawyers in California is $195,080 a year, or $93.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $369,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in California?
The top 10% of lawyers in California earn at least $369,180 a year. The top 25% earn $277,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,950 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $131,120 or less.
How many lawyers work in California?
About 95,770 lawyers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.