Lawyer salary in Georgia
Lawyers in Georgia earn a median of $134,830 a year ($64.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $317,820 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Georgia ranks 21st of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 4.9 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $191,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| 25th percentile | $84,460 | $40.60 |
| Median | $134,830 | $64.82 |
| 75th percentile | $202,800 | $97.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $317,820 | $152.80 |
| Average (mean) | $191,190 | $91.92 |
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 | $11,235.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,617.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,185.77 |
| Weekly | $2,592.88 |
| Hourly | $64.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $147,640 | 740 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $138,210 | 18,760 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $125,480 | 200 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $123,960 | 630 |
| Savannah, GA | $123,050 | 640 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $118,750 | 120 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $108,200 | 410 |
| Hinesville, GA | $107,320 | 50 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $105,360 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $104,120 | 290 |
| Albany, GA | $103,510 | 150 |
| Valdosta, GA | $101,000 | 130 |
| Dalton, GA | $91,730 | 120 |
| Rome, GA | $74,410 | n/a |
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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $133,660 | $64.26 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $60,620 | $29.15 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
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 Georgia?
The median salary for lawyers in Georgia is $134,830 a year, or $64.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $317,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Georgia?
The top 10% of lawyers in Georgia earn at least $317,820 a year. The top 25% earn $202,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,750 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $84,460 or less.
How many lawyers work in Georgia?
About 23,930 lawyers are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.