SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · United States
Lawyers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Lawyers across the United States is $159,670 per year, measured over 754,500 jobs. The highest state median is in New York, at $207,860.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Lawyers
Pay for this occupation varies by 126.7% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. New York pays $207,860 and Mississippi pays $91,690.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $207,860 | 91,870 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 | 33,070 | |
| 3 | California | $195,080 | 95,770 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 | 23,560 | |
| 5 | Delaware | $173,510 | 2,920 | |
| 6 | Colorado | $168,520 | 16,720 | |
| 7 | Virginia | $167,210 | 18,580 | |
| 8 | Connecticut | $163,600 | 8,420 | |
| 9 | New Jersey | $161,430 | 23,160 | |
| 10 | Illinois | $160,800 | 33,590 |
States with the most Lawyers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 95,770 | $195,080 | |
| 2 | New York | 91,870 | $207,860 | |
| 3 | Texas | 56,580 | $154,200 | |
| 4 | Florida | 55,210 | $133,180 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 33,590 | $160,800 | |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 33,070 | $195,190 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 27,170 | $157,180 | |
| 8 | Georgia | 23,930 | $134,830 | |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 23,560 | $176,680 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | 23,160 | $161,430 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $301,320 | 6,040 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $212,500 | 18,470 |
| 3 | New York | $208,880 | 94,610 |
| 4 | Washington | $195,190 | 46,840 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $194,410 | 41,580 |
| 6 | Oxnard | $185,520 | 1,220 |
| 7 | Boston | $183,350 | 20,080 |
| 8 | Santa Rosa | $181,560 | 590 |
| 9 | Bridgeport | $180,610 | 2,100 |
| 10 | Sacramento | $178,540 | 7,620 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data